Light vector mediators at direct detection experiments

Abstract

Solar neutrinos induce elastic neutrino-electron scattering in dark matter direct detection experiments, resulting in detectable event rates at current facilities. We analyze recent data from the XENONnT, LUX-ZEPLIN, and PandaX-4T experiments and we derive stringent constraints on several $U(1)'$ extensions of the Standard Model, accommodating new neutrino-electron interactions. We provide bounds on the relevant coupling and mass of light vector mediators for a variety of models, including the anomaly-free $B-L$ model, lepton flavor-dependent interactions like $L_α- L_β$, $B-2L_e - L_{μ, τ}$, $B-3L_α$, and $B+2L_μ+2 L_τ$ models. We compare our results with other limits obtained in the literature from both terrestrial and astrophysical experiments. Finally, we present forecasts for improving current bounds with a future experiment like DARWIN.