• Sensitivity for detection of decay of dark matter particle using ICAL at INO

• # Fulltext

https://www.ias.ac.in/article/fulltext/pram/086/04/0927-0937

• # Keywords

India-based neutrino observatory; iron calorimeter; kolar event; dark matter particle; lifetime.

• # Abstract

We report on the simulation studies addressing the possibility of dark matter particle (DMP) decaying into $\mu+\mu$− channel. While not much is known about the properties of dark matter particles except through their gravitational effect, it has been recently conjectured that the so-called ‘anomalous Kolar events’ observed some decades ago may be due to the decay of unstable darkmatter particles. The aim of this study is to see if this conjecture can be verified at the proposed iron calorimeter (ICAL) detector at INO. We study the possible decay to$\mu\pm$ mode which may be seen in this detector with some modifications. For the purposes of simulation, we assume that the channel saturates the decay width for the mass ranging from 1 to 50 GeV/c$^2$. The aim is not only to investigate the decay signatures, but also, more generally, to establish lower bounds on the lifetime of DMP even if no such decay takes place.

• # Author Affiliations

1. Nuclear Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400 085, India
2. Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai 400 094, India
3. Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Homi Bhabha Road, Colaba, Mumbai 400 005, India

• # Pramana – Journal of Physics

Volume 96, 2022
All articles
Continuous Article Publishing mode

• # Editorial Note on Continuous Article Publication

Posted on July 25, 2019

Click here for Editorial Note on CAP Mode

© 2021-2022 Indian Academy of Sciences, Bengaluru.