Event Details

Searches for sub-GeV dark matter rely on sensitivity to small ionization signals. These signals can arise from dark matter-electron scattering, in which the scattered electron produces the ionization signal. However, the signal can also arise in dark matter-nucleus scattering through a process known as ``Migdal” scattering. In this talk, I will review the theory behind ``Migdal” ionization and demonstrate the connection between dark matterelectron scattering and Migdal scattering. As a concrete example, I will compare the two dark matter processes for a dark photon mediator.