Extracting Dark Matter Properties Model-Independently from Direct Detection Experiments

Abstract

In this article I review model-independent procedures for extracting properties of Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs) from direct Dark Matter detection experiments. Neither prior knowledge about the velocity distribution function of halo Dark Matter particles nor about their mass or cross sections on target nucleus is needed. The unique required information is measured recoil energies from experiments with different detector materials.

Comments: 10 pages, to appear in the proceedings of the International Workshop on Dark Matter, Dark Eaergy, and Matter-Antimatter Asymmetry, Hsinchu, Taiwan, November 20-21, 2009