The past and future of light dark matter direct detection

Abstract

We review the status and future of direct searches for light dark matter. We start by answering the question: "Whatever happened to the light dark matter anomalies?" i.e. the fate of the potential dark matter signals observed by the CoGeNT, CRESST-II, CDMS-Si and DAMA/LIBRA experiments. We discuss how the excess events in the first two of these experiments have been explained by previously underestimated backgrounds. For DAMA, we summarize the progress and future of mundane explanations for the annual modulation reported in its event rate. Concerning the future of direct detection, we focus on the irreducible background from solar neutrinos. We explain broadly how it will affect future searches and summarize efforts to mitigate its effects.