We consider a scenario, within the framework of the MSSM, in which dark matter is bino-like and dark matter-nucleon spin-independent scattering occurs via the exchange of light squarks which exhibit left-right mixing. We show that direct detection ex
periments such as LUX and SuperCDMS will be sensitive to a wide class of such models through spin-independent scattering. Moreover, these models exhibit properties, such as isospin violation, that are not typically observed for the MSSM LSP if scattering occurs primarily through Higgs exchange. The dominant nuclear physics uncertainty is the quark content of the nucleon, particularly the strangeness content.
The breaking of electroweak symmetry through renormalization group flow in models that have MSSM spectra is found to produce well-mixed neutralino dark matter with a relic density consistent with the WMAP data and elastic scattering cross section wit
h nuclei consistent with current limits from direct dark matter searches. These models predict a Higgs boson mass in the range (125-126) GeV. Well-mixed neutralino dark matter is predominantly bino-like, but has significant Higgsino and wino content, each with fractions of comparable size. With a ~1 TeV gluino mass and sizable neutralino-nucleon scattering cross sections, natural models will be fully tested by both the LHC and future dark matter direct detection experiments.
We calculate the limits on the fraction of viable dark matter minihalos in the early universe to host Population III.1 stars, surviving today as dark matter spikes in our Milky Way halo. Motivated by potential hints of light dark matter from the DAMA
and CoGeNT direct dark matter searches, we consider thermal relic WIMP dark matter with masses of 5, 10, and 20 GeV, and annihilation to mu^+ mu^-, tau^+ tau^-, and q bar{q}. From this brief study we conclude that, if dark matter is light, either the typical black hole size is lesssim 100 M_odot (i.e. there is no significant Dark Star phase), and/or dark matter annihilates primarily to mu^+ mu^- or other final states that result in low gamma-ray luminosity, and/or that an extremely small fraction of minihalos in the early universe that seem suitable to host the formation of the first stars actually did.
