A leading but controversial interpretation of the LZ signal centers on the higgsino, the superpartner of the Higgs boson, which could both account for dark matter and signify the first discovery of supersymmetry.

Other experiments like XENONnT are cross-checking the LZ results, as the scientific community awaits more data to confirm or challenge the signal and its interpretation.

If the higgsino does not explain the signal, alternative particles with similar features could, potentially avoiding some constraints such as solar neutrino production, with models ranging from other dark matter candidates to connections with gamma-ray signals at the Milky Way’s center.

The higgsino hypothesis faces tensions, including a lack of low-energy recoils, no neutrinos from the Sun in IceCube data, and no expected higher-energy signals in LZ data under certain mass scenarios.

Physicists have proposed wiggle room, such as varying the higgsino mass scale or dark matter particle speeds, to reconcile the LZ signal with other observations, including scenarios with higgsino masses around 2,000 times a proton’s mass.

Overall, the possible dark matter signal has revived interest in supersymmetry and related theories, even as many researchers urge caution and further testing.

Notably, a September 1 signal from the LZ detector sparked renewed interest in a dark matter particle and rekindled discussion of supersymmetry.