Effect of Gravitational Focusing on Annual Modulation in Dark-Matter Direct-Detection Experiments
Effect of Gravitational Focusing on Annual Modulation in Dark-Matter Direct-Detection Experiments
The scattering rate in dark-matter direct-detection experiments should modulate annually due to Earth's orbit around the Sun. The rate is typically thought to be extremized around June 1, when the relative velocity of Earth with respect to the dark-matter wind is maximal. We point out that gravitational focusing can alter …