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Proposal for broad-range directional detection of light dark matter in cryogenic ice
Abstract
We propose hexagonal ice (H2O) as a new target for light dark matter (DM) direct detection. Ice, a polar material, is suitable for single phonon detection through DM scattering for which we consider light dark photon and light scalar mediator models. We report a rate sensitivity down to a DM mass of ∼keV, constituting a broader mass range than other promising candidates. We find better sensitivity for near-term experimental thresholds from the presence of high-frequency phonons. These advantages, and ice's availability, make it highly promising for single-phonon detection.