Ab initio structure factors for spin-dependent dark matter direct detection

Abstract

We present converged ab initio calculations of structure factors for elastic spin-dependent WIMP scattering off all nuclei used in dark matter direct-detection searches: ${}^{19}$F, ${}^{23}$Na, ${}^{27}$Al, ${}^{29}$Si, ${}^{73}$Ge, ${}^{127}$I, and ${}^{129,131}$Xe. From a set of established two- and three-nucleon interactions derived within chiral effective field theory, we construct consistent WIMP-nucleon currents at the one-body level, including effects from axial-vector two-body currents. We then apply the in-medium similarity renormalization group to construct effective valence-space Hamiltonians and consistently transformed operators of nuclear responses. Combining the recent advances of natural orbitals with three-nucleon forces expressed in large spaces, we obtain basis-space converged structure factors even in heavy nuclei. Generally results are consistent with previous calculations, but large uncertainties in ${}^{127}$I highlight the need for further study.

Comments: 6 pages, 3 figures, supplemental material included