We present the first experimental constraints on the spin-dependent WIMP-nucleon elastic cross sections from LUX data acquired in 2013. LUX is a dual-phase xenon time projection chamber operating at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (Lead, South Dakota), which is designed to observe the recoil signature of galactic WIMPs scattering from xenon nuclei. A profile likelihood ratio analysis of $1.4~\times~10^{ 4}~\text{ kg}\cdot~\text{ days}$ of fiducial exposure allows 90% CL upper limits to be set on the WIMP-neutron (WIMP-proton) cross section of $\sigma_n~=~9.4~\times~10^{ -41}~\text{ cm}^2$ ($\sigma_p~=~2.9~\times~10^{ -39}~\text{ cm}^2$) at 33 GeV/c$^2$. The spin-dependent WIMP-neutron limit is the most sensitive constraint to date.
Categories: hep-ex hep-ph