Direct WIMP detection rates for transitions in isomeric nuclei

Abstract

The direct detection of dark matter constituents, in particular the weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs), is central to particle physics and cosmology. In this paper we study WIMP induced transitions from isomeric nuclear states for two possible isomeric candidates: ${}^{180}\mathrm{Ta}$ and ${}^{166}\mathrm{Ho}$. The experimental setup, which can measure the possible decay of ${}^{180}\mathrm{Ta}$ induced by WIMPs, was proposed. The corresponding estimates of the half-life of ${}^{180}\mathrm{Ta}$ are given in the sense that the WIMP-nucleon interaction can be interpreted as ordinary radioactive decay.