# Exclusion limits on particle dark matter

I'm trying to make sense on how the upper limits of the cross section of particle dark matter (WIMPs) are computed, like in the figure below. This is taken from an article on dark matter searches.

Quoting from the article:

The number of selected events in the region of interest is used to set a limit on the dark matter cross section. [p.2]

and then

A limit is set by assuming all events are originating from the dark matter scatters and the maximal possible cross section is determined by using Yellin's optimal method, which is considered to provide a conservative limit. [p.3]

In skimming this article about the statistics methods used in particle dark matter searches, the optimum limit method is given by eq. 13 on page 15

$$x_i = \int_{E_i}^{E_{i+1}} \frac{dN}{dE}(\sigma_{\text{scatt}} )dE \ .$$

I'm not sure, if this is the expression that I'm looking for.

In its treatment, the concept of confidence interval is used, which still elludes me.

Furthermore, I've read on CLs methods which according to Wikipedia is

a statistical method for setting upper limits (also called exclusion limits) on model parameters, a particular form of interval estimation used for parameters that can take only non-negative values.

Mind you, I have not taken a rigorous course in probability theory, so a brief exposition in how the concept of the confidence interval is involved in calculating the exclusion limits, in the figure above, would be highly appreciated. :)

• Like so many questions about the analysis of significant experiments this can only be condensed into a reasonable size answer by assuming that the reader is already fairly familiar with the field. For instance, any discussion you might find in a paper would expect you to know enough about confidence limits to interpret them even if you aren't familiar with the particular method used to set them in this paper. – dmckee Jun 5 '18 at 0:30
• Well, I'd tolerate a fair bit of handwaiving in this case. :) – Mussé Redi Jun 5 '18 at 7:15