Constraints on scalar dark matter from direct experimental searches

Abstract

The standard model (SM) plus a real gauge-singlet scalar field dubbed darkon ($\mathrm{SM}+\mathrm{D}$) is the simplest model possessing a weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP) dark-matter candidate. The upper limits for the WIMP-nucleon elastic cross section as a function of WIMP mass from the recent XENON10 and CDMS II experiments rule out darkon mass ranges from 10 to (50, 70, 75) GeV for Higgs-boson masses of (120, 200, 350) GeV, respectively. This may exclude the possibility of the darkon providing an explanation for the gamma-ray excess observed in the EGRET data. We show that by extending the $\mathrm{SM}+\mathrm{D}$ to a two-Higgs-doublet model plus a darkon the experimental constraints on the WIMP-nucleon interactions can be circumvented due to suppression occurring at some values of the product $\mathrm{tan}\ensuremath{\alpha}\mathrm{tan}\ensuremath{\beta}$, with $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ being the neutral-Higgs mixing angle and $\mathrm{tan}\ensuremath{\beta}$ the ratio of vacuum expectation values of the Higgs doublets. We also comment on the implication of the darkon model for Higgs searches at the LHC.