$^3$He experimentum crucis for Dark Matter puzzles

Abstract

The leading direct dark matter search experiments: CDMS, Edelweis and DAMA/NaI exhibit different results for different approaches to the problem. This contradiction can reflect a nontrivial and probably a multi-component nature of the cosmological dark matter. WIMPs can possess dominantly a Spin Dependent interaction with nucleons. They can be superheavy or represent atom-like systems of superheavy charged particles. The Dark matter can contain a component, which strongly interacts with the matter. We show that even a moderate size superfluid $^3$He detector provides a crucial test for these hypotheses and that its existing laboratory prototype is already of interest for the experimental dark matter search.