Status of direct detection searches of heavy dark matter

Abstract

Dark matter accounts for 26% of the mass-energy density of the Universe, however, its nature and origins remain the most important open questions in physics. The search for Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs), one of the leading dark matter particle candidates, is now in a decisive phase, with experiments targeting both the high-mass and the low-mass (1-10 GeV/$c^2$) WIMP scenarios. The status of the leading experimental searches is discussed, together with their prospects and challenges they are facing. Searches of heavy non-WIMP dark matter candidates are also briefly summarized.