PYTHON package for dark matter scattering in dielectric targets

We present DarkELF, a PYTHON package to calculate interaction rates of light dark matter in dielectric materials, including screening effects. The full response of the material is parametrized in the terms of the energy loss function (ELF) of material, which DarkELF converts into differential scattering rates for both direct dark matter electron scattering and through the Migdal effect. In addition, DarkELF can calculate the rate to produce phonons from sub-MeV dark matter scattering via the dark photon mediator, as well as the absorption rate for dark matter comprised of dark photons. The package includes precomputed ELFs for Al, Al2O3, GaAs, GaN, Ge, Si, SiO2, and ZnS, and allows the user to easily add their own ELF extractions for arbitrary materials.

Automated summary

DarkELF is a PYTHON package that calculates the interaction rates of light dark matter in dielectric materials, taking into account screening effects. The package parametrizes the full response of the material in terms of the energy loss function (ELF), which is then converted into differential scattering rates for direct dark matter electron scattering and through the Migdal effect. It can also calculate the rate of phonon production from sub-MeV dark matter scattering via the dark photon mediator, as well as the absorption rate for dark matter composed of dark photons.