Nuclear spin structure in dark matter search: The zero momentum transfer limit

Abstract

We review the calculation of spin-dependent matrix elements relevant to scattering of weakly interacting massive particles on nuclei. A comprehensive list, to our knowledge, of the proton and neutron total spin expectation values ($<{\bf S}_{p}>$ and $<{\bf S}_{n}>$) calculated within different nuclear models is presented. These values allow a conclusion about the event rate expected in direct dark matter search experiments due to spin-dependent neutralino-nucleon interaction, provided neutralino is a dark matter particle.