Theory Colloquia
Interpreting the LZ Excess: Models, Constraints and Phenomenological Challenges
by
→
Europe/Rome
Description
The recent high-energy recoil event reported by LUX-ZEPLIN has motivated a broad range of dark-matter interpretations. In this talk I will review the main theoretical scenarios that have been proposed, including thermal Higgsino and minimal electroweak dark matter, pseudo-Dirac models, endothermic and exothermic dark matter, and elastic momentum-dependent interactions.
I will focus in particular on the theoretical and phenomenological challenges faced by these interpretations. Beyond reproducing the LZ recoil spectrum, viable models must be consistent with the dark-matter relic abundance, Solar capture and neutrino-telescope constraints, collider searches, indirect detection, and the dark matter cosmological evolution. I will discuss the present status of the different scenarios and the complementary observations that can test them in the near future.