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Nicolao Fornengo

Publications and source records attributed to Nicolao Fornengo.

58 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Relic neutralinos: update on neutralino-nucleon scalar cross-section

We discuss the effect induced on the neutralino-nucleon scalar cross-section by the present uncertainties in the values of the quark masses and of the quark scalar densities in the nucleon. We examine the implications of this aspect on the determination of the neutralino cosmological properties, as derived from measurements of WIMP direct detection. We show that, within current theoretical uncertainties, the DAMA annual modulation data are compatible with a neutralino as a major dark matter component, to an extent which is even larger than the one previously derived.

hep-ph↗

Standard and exotic interpretations of the atmospheric neutrino data

The present status of some theoretical interpretations of the atmospheric neutrino deficit is briefly discussed. Specifically, we show the results for the FC mechanism and for the standard oscillation hypothesis, both in the active and in the sterile channels. All these mechanisms are able to fit the present data to a good statistical level. Among them, the nu_mu --> nu_tau oscillation is certainly the best explanation to the atmospheric neutrino deficit, providing a remarkably good agreement with the data.

hep-ph↗

SUPERSYMMETRIC DARK MATTER: MSSM and SUGRA schemes in the light of a possible annual modulation effect in WIMP direct search

Recently the DAMA/NaI Collaboration reported further indication of a possible modulation effect in WIMP direct detection. In this note we discuss the relevance of this result for supersymmetric theories where the neutralino is the dark matter candidate. We specifically consider the Minimal Supersymmetric extension of the Standard Model (MSSM) and Supergravity-inspired schemes, with possible deviations of the unification conditions at the GUT scale in the Higgs sector. The main results of our analysis show that the annual modulation data are widely compatible with an interpretation in terms of a relic neutralino as the major component of dark matter in the Universe. We also discuss the implications for searches of supersymmetry at accelerators and for indirect searches of neutralino dark matter.

hep-ph↗