Direct and Indirect searches for DM-electron interactions in sub-GeV DM models

Abstract

We analyze the complementarity between direct detection (DD) and indirect detection (ID) searches of sub-GeV dark matter (DM) in the context of two realistic models: the vector-portal (dark photon) and scalar-portal (higgs-portal) models. For DD we focus on the latest constraints on the DM-electron scattering from the present DAMIC-M experiment as well as its future projection. For ID we consider several existing X-rays/gamma-rays and cosmic-ray ($e^\pm$) observations as well as the upcoming MeV telescope COSI to obtain the corresponding bounds and projections on the DM annihilation rate, which are then translated in terms of the DM-electron scattering cross-section and compared with the DD bounds/projections. We properly take into account astrophysical and galactic propagation uncertainties. We find that the complementarity between DAMIC-M and ID works best for the vector-portal model, especially for the case where the vector mediator is heavier than the DM particle: in this case, the present DAMIC-M bound becomes comparable to (or better than, for some astrophysical configurations) the combined ID limit for $3\,{\rm MeV} \lesssim m_{\rm DM} \lesssim 20\,{\rm MeV}$. For other cases and mass ranges, the ID is in general more constraining and can also, for some mass ranges, constrain the parameter space below the neutrino floor, which is inaccessible to DD experiments.