This document discusses supersymmetric dark matter and its potential detection by the IceCube neutrino observatory. It introduces the neutralino as a dark matter candidate particle arising from supersymmetry. Neutralinos could accumulate in celestial bodies like the Sun due to gravitational interactions and weak/gravitational forces. Their annihilation could produce neutrino signals detectable by IceCube. The document outlines scans of the parameter space of the MSSM-25 supersymmetric model to identify regions favored by dark matter relic density and predict event rates and likelihoods for IceCube. The goal is to interpret any neutrino signals IceCube detects in terms of supersymmetric dark matter models.

1. Supersymmetric Dark
Matter in IceCube
Hamish Silverwood
Department of Physics and Astronomy
University of Canterbury
Image Source: NASA/ESA
MSc Supervisors: Jenni Adams and Anthony Brown

2. Rotational
Velocity
Radial Distance
Image Source: Wikimedia and NASA/ESA
Dark Matter

3. Candidates must be
1. Stable
2. Electrically Neutral
3. Uncoloured
Image Source: Wikimedia and NASA/ESA
Dark Matter

4. Supersymmetry
Particles Sparticles
Light Heavy
R-Parity R-Parity
PR = 1 PR = -1
R-Parity Conservation is necessary for
Proton Stability.

5. Lightest
Supersymmetric
Particle

6. L
S
P

7. L LSP Particles
S
P PR = -1 PR = 1x1 =1

8. L LSP Particles
S
P PR = -1 PR = 1x1 =1

9. L Neutralino
1. Stable
~0
χ
S
2. Electrically Neutral
3. Uncoloured
4. Interacts via
Weak Force &
P Gravity

10. Neutralinos are Dark
Matter Candidates
Image Source: NASA/ESA
Dark Matter

11. Neutralino Accumulation

12. LSP Particles
PR =(-1)x(-1) PR = 1x1
=1 =1

13. LSP Particles
ν
▪
▪
▪
Neutrinos
PR =(-1)x(-1) PR = 1x1
=1 =1

14. ICECUBE
NEUTRINO
OBSERVATORY

15. Detector Optical Module

20. Minimally
Supersymmetric
Standard
Model

21. M MSSM: 120 Free Parameters
S
S MSSM-25: 25 Free Parameters
M

22. Scanning the MSSM-25
Parameter Space
●LSP Type
●LSP Mass
●Relic Density
●Capture Rate
●Annihilation
Rate
DarkSUSY
▪
▪
Modifed by HS ▪
to run with 25
Parameters ● IceCube events,
rates, and
likelihoods

23. Scanning the MSSM-25
Parameter Space
●LSP Type
●LSP Mass
● Relic Density
●Capture Rate
●Annihilation
Rate
DarkSUSY
▪
▪
Modifed by HS ▪
to run with 25
Parameters ● IceCube events,
rates, and
likelihoods
Fitness Criteria is Relic Density;
optimizing towards WMAP measurement.

24. Scanning the MSSM-25
Parameter Space

25. Scanning the MSSM-25
Parameter Space

26. Scanning the MSSM-25
Parameter Space

27. Scanning the MSSM-25
Parameter Space

28. Final Goal of Parameter Scans
IceCube Event
Simulations

29. Final Goal of Parameter Scans
IceCube Event
Simulations

30. The Gritty Details
●Monte Carlo methods used to
scan parameter space.
●Currently running scans based
on the VEGAS algorithm.

31. Conclusion
●SUSY supplies us with a Dark Matter
candidate particle: the neutralino.
●IceCube can potentially detect the
annihilation of these neutralinos in the
Sun.
●Scans of the MSSM-25 parameter
space will help us interpret results from
IceCube.

32. Questions