Direct detection of neutralino dark matter in the NMSSM

Abstract

We address the direct detection of neutralino dark matter in the framework of the Next-to-Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model. We conduct a detailed analysis of the parameter space, taking into account all the available constraints from LEPII, and compute the neutralino-nucleon cross section. We find that sizable values for the detection cross section, within the reach of dark matter detectors, are attainable in this framework, and are associated with the exchange of very light Higgses, $m_{h_1^0}\lesssim 70$ GeV, the latter exhibiting a significant singlet composition.

Comments: LaTex, 6 pages, 4 figures. Talk given at the 5th International Workshop on the Identification of Dark Matter (IDM2004), Edinburgh, 6-10 September 2004