Nonrelativistic approach for cosmological scalar field dark matter

Abstract

We derive non-relativistic equations of motion for the formation of cosmological structure in a Scalar Field Dark Matter (SFDM) model corresponding to a complex scalar field endowed with a quadratic scalar potential. Starting with the full equations of motion written in the Newtonian gauge of scalar perturbations, we separate out the fields involved into relativistic and non-relativistic parts, and find the equations of motion for the latter that can be used to build up the full solution. One important assumption will also be that the SFDM field is in the regime of fast oscillations, under which its behavior is exactly that of cold dark matter. The resultant equations are quite similar to the Schr\"odinger-Poisson system of Newtonian boson stars plus relativistic leftovers. We exploit that similarity to show how to simulate, with minimum numerical effort, the formation of cosmological structure in SFDM models and others alike, and ultimately prove their viability as complete dark matter models.