Dark Matter Contribution Research Articles

Contribution of Dark Matter Annihilation to Gamma-Ray Burst Afterglows near Massive Galaxy Centers

Abstract Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are believed to be powered by ultrarelativistic jets. If these jets encounter and accelerate excess electrons and positrons produced by particle dark matter (DM) annihilation, the observed electromagnetic radiation would be enhanced. In this paper, we study GRB afterglow emission with the presence of abundant DM under the weakly interacting massive particle annihilation conditions. We calculate the light curves and spectra of the GRB afterglows with different parameters, i.e., DM density, particle DM mass, annihilation channel, and electron density of the interstellar medium. We find that the effect of DM may become noticeable in the afterglow spectra if the circumburst has a low electron number density ( ) and if the DM has a high number density ( ). According to the standard galaxy DM density profile, GRB afterglows with DM contribution might occur at distances of several to tens of parsecs from the centers of massive galaxies.

Stellar velocity dispersion and dynamical mass of the ultra diffuse galaxy NGC 5846_UDG1 from the keck cosmic web imager

ABSTRACTThe ultra diffuse galaxy in the NGC 5846 group (NGC 5846_UDG1) was shown to have a large number of globular cluster (GC) candidates from deep imaging as part of the VEGAS survey. Recently, Müller et al. published a velocity dispersion, based on a dozen of its GCs. Within their quoted uncertainties, the resulting dynamical mass allowed for either a dark matter free or a dark-matter-dominated galaxy. Here, we present spectra from KCWI that reconfirms membership of the NGC 5846 group and reveals a stellar velocity dispersion for UDG1 of σGC = 17 ± 2 km s−1. Our dynamical mass, with a reduced uncertainty, indicates a very high contribution of dark matter within the effective radius. We also derive an enclosed mass from the locations and motions of the GCs using the tracer mass estimator, finding a similar mass inferred from our stellar velocity dispersion. We find no evidence that the galaxy is rotating and is thus likely pressure supported. The number of confirmed GCs, and the total number inferred for the system (∼45), suggests a total halo mass of ∼2 × 1011 M⊙. A cored mass profile is favoured when compared to our dynamical mass. Given its stellar mass of 1.1 × 108 M⊙, NGC 5846_UDG1 appears to be an ultra diffuse galaxy with a dwarf-like stellar mass and an overly massive halo.

On testing CDM and geometry-driven Milky Way rotation curve models with Gaia DR2

ABSTRACT Flat rotation curves (RCs) in disc galaxies provide the main observational support to the hypothesis of surrounding dark matter (DM). Despite of the difficulty in identifying the DM contribution to the total mass density in our Galaxy, stellar kinematics, as tracer of gravitational potential, is the most reliable observable for gauging different matter components. From the Gaia second data release catalogue, we extracted parallaxes, proper motions, and line-of-sight velocities of unprecedented accuracy for a carefully selected sample of disc stars. This is the angular momentum supported population of the Milky Way (MW) that better traces its observed RC. We fitted such data to both a classical, i.e. including a DM halo, velocity profile model, and a general relativistic one derived from a stationary axisymmetric galaxy-scale metric. The general relativistic MW RC results statistically indistinguishable from its state-of-the-art DM analogue. This supports the ansatz that a weak gravitational contribution due to the off-diagonal term of the metric, by explaining the observed flatness of MW’s RC, could fill the gap in a baryons-only MW, thus rendering the Newtonian-origin DM a general relativity-like effect. In the context of Local Cosmology, our findings are suggestive of the Galaxy’s phase space as the exterior gravitational field in equilibrium far from a Kerr-like inner source, possibly with no need for extra matter to account for the disc kinematics.

Effects of dark matter on the nuclear and neutron star matter

ABSTRACT We study the dark matter (DM) effects on the nuclear matter (NM) parameters characterizing the equation of states of super dense neutron-rich nucleonic matter. The observables of the NM, i.e. incompressibility, symmetry energy and its higher order derivatives in the presence DM for symmetric and asymmetric NM are analysed with the help of an extended relativistic mean field model. The calculations are also extended to β-stable matter to explore the properties of the neutron star (NS). We analyse the DM effects on symmetric NM, pure neutron matter, and NS using NL3, G3, and IOPB-I forces. The binding energy per particle and pressure is calculated with and without considering the DM interaction with the NM systems. The influences of DM are also analysed on the symmetry energy and its different coefficients. The incompressibility and the skewness parameters are affected considerably due to the presence of DM in the NM medium. We extend the calculations to the NS and find its mass, radius and the moment of inertia for static and rotating NS with and without DM contribution. The mass of the rotating NS is considerably changing due to rapid rotation with the frequency in the mass-shedding limit. The effects of DM are found to be important for some of the NM parameters, which are crucial for the properties of astrophysical objects.

Subaru FOCAS IFU observations of two z $\boldsymbol{\approx}$ 0.12 strong-lensing elliptical galaxies from SDSS MaNGA

ABSTRACT We present new observations of two $z$ = 0.12 strong-lensing elliptical galaxies, originally discovered from the SDSS-IV MaNGA survey, using the new FOCAS IFU spectrograph on the Subaru Telescope. For J1436+4943, our observations confirm the identification of this system as a multiple-image lens, in a cusp configuration, with an Einstein radius θEin = 2.0 arcsec. For J1701+3722, the improved data confirm earlier hints of a complex source plane, with different configurations evident in different emission lines. The new observations reveal a previously unseen inner counter-image to the [O iii] arc found from MaNGA, leading to a smaller revised Einstein radius of θEin = 1.6 arcsec. The inferred projected masses within the Einstein apertures (3.7–4.7 kpc) are consistent with being dominated by stars with an initial mass function (IMF) similar to that of the Milky Way, and a dark matter contribution of ∼35 per cent as supported from cosmological simulations. These results are consistent with ‘pure lensing’ analyses of lower redshift lenses, but contrast with claims for heavier IMFs from combined lensing and dynamical studies of more distant early-type galaxies.

Search for γ -ray emission from dark matter particle interactions from the Andromeda and Triangulum galaxies with the Fermi Large Area Telescope

The Andromeda (M31) and Triangulum (M33) galaxies are the closest Local Group galaxies to the Milky Way, being only 785 and 870 kpc away. These two galaxies provide an independent view of high-energy processes that are often obscured in our own Galaxy, including possible signals of dark matter (DM) particle interactions. The Fermi Large Area Telescope (Fermi-LAT) preliminary eight year list of sources includes both M31, which is detected as extended with a size of about 0.4$^\circ$, and M33, which is detected as a point-like source. The spatial morphology of M31 $\gamma$-ray emission could trace a population of unresolved sources and energetic particles originating in sources not related to massive star formation. Alternatively, the $\gamma$-ray emission could also be an indication of annihilation or decay of DM particles. We investigate these two possibilities using almost 10 years of data from the Fermi LAT. An interpretation that involves only a DM $\gamma$-ray emission is in tension with the current limits from other searches, such as those targeting Milky Way dwarf spheroidal galaxies. When we include a template of astrophysical emission, tuned on $\gamma$-ray data or from observations of these galaxies in other wavelengths, we do not find any significant evidence for a DM contribution and we set limits for the annihilation cross section that probe the thermal cross section for DM masses up to a few tens of GeV in the $b\bar{b}$ and $\tau^+\tau^-$ channels. For models where the DM substructures have masses above $10^{-6}$ solar masses our limits probe the DM interpretation of the Fermi LAT Galactic center excess. We provide also the lower limit for the DM decay time assuming the same spatial models of the DM distribution in M31 and M33.

Constraints on light Dark Matter fermions from relic density consideration and Tsallis statistics

The cold dark matter fermions with mass MeV scale, pair produced inside the supernova SN1987A core, can freely stream away from the supernovae and hence contributes to its energy loss rate. Similar type of DM fermions (having similar kind of coupling to the standard model photon), produced from some other sources earlier, could have contributed to the relic density of the Universe. Working in a theory with an effective dark matter-photon coupling (inversely proportional to the scale Λ) in the formalism of Tsallis statistics, we find the dark matter contribution to the relic density and obtain a upper bound on Λ using the experimental bound on the relic density for cold non-baryonic matter i.e. Ωh2 = 0.1186 ± 0.0020. The upper bound obtained from the relic density is shown with the lower bound obtained from the Raffelt’s criterion on the emissibity rate of the supernovae SN1987A energy loss overset{cdot }{varepsilon}left({e}^{+}{e}^{-}to chi overline{chi}right)le {10}^{19} erg g−1s−1 and the optical depth criteria on the free streaming of the dark matter fermion (produced inside the supernovae core). As the deformation parameter q changes from 1.0 (undeformed scenario) to 1.1 (deformed scenario), the relic density bound on Λ is found to vary from ∼ 4.9 × 107 TeV to 1.6 × 108 TeV for a fermion dark matter (χ) of mass mχ = 30 MeV, which is almost10 times more than the lower bound obtained from the SN1987A energy loss rate and the optical depth criteria.

A new strong-lensing galaxy at z= 0.066: another elliptical galaxy with a lightweight IMF

We report the discovery of a new low-redshift galaxy-scale gravitational lens, identified from a systematic search of publicly available MUSE observations. The lens galaxy, 2MASXJ04035024-0239275, is a giant elliptical at $z$ = 0.06604 with a velocity dispersion of $\sigma$ = 314 km s$^{-1}$. The lensed source has a redshift of 0.19165 and forms a pair of bright images either side of the lens centre. The Einstein radius is 1.5 arcsec, projecting to 1.8 kpc, which is just one quarter of the galaxy effective radius. After correcting for an estimated 19 per cent dark matter contribution, we find that the stellar mass-to-light ratio from lensing is consistent with that expected for a Milky Way initial mass function (IMF). Combining the new system with three previously-studied low-redshift lenses of similar $\sigma$, the derived mean mass excess factor (relative to a Kroupa IMF) is $\langle\alpha\rangle$ = 1.09$\pm$0.08. With all four systems, the intrinsic scatter in $\alpha$ for massive elliptical galaxies can be limited to $<0.32$, at 90 per cent confidence.

Is the Hubble Constant Scale-Dependent?

An exact determination of the Hubble constant remains one of key problems in cosmology for almost a century. However, its modern values derived by various methods still disagree from each other by almost 10%; the greater values being obtained by measurements at the relatively small distances (e.g., by Cepheid stars as the standard candles), while the smaller values being characteristic of the methods associated with huge spatial scales (e.g., the analysis of the cosmic microwave background fluctuations). A reasonable way to resolve this puzzle is to assume that the Hubble constant is inherently scale-dependent. This idea seems to be particularly attractive in light of the latest observational results on the early-type galaxies, where the dark-matter haloes are almost absent. Therefore, an average contribution of the irregularly-distributed dark matter to the rate of the cosmological expansion should be substantially different at various spatial scales. As follows from the rough estimates, the corresponding variation of the Hubble constant can be 10% and even more, which well explains the spread in its values obtained by the various methods.

Impact of Sommerfeld enhancement on helium reionization via WIMP dark matter

Dark matter annihilation can have a strong impact on many astrophysical processes in the Universe. In the case of Sommerfeld-enhanced annihilation cross sections, the annihilation rates are enhanced at late times, thus enhancing the potential annihilation signatures. We here calculate the Sommerfeld-enhanced annihilation signatures during the epoch of helium reionization, the epoch where helium becomes fully ionized due to energetic photons. When considering the upper limits on the energy injection from the CMB, we find that the resulting abundance of He$^{++}$ becomes independent of the dark matter particle mass. The resulting enhancement compared to a standard scenario is thus 1-2 orders of magnitude higher. For realistic scenarios compatible with CMB constraints, there is no significant shift in the epoch of helium reionization, which is completed between redshifts $3$ and $4$. While it is thus difficult to disentangle dark matter annihilation from astrophysical contributions (active galactic nuclei), a potential detection of dark matter particles and its interactions using the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) would allow one to quantify the dark matter contribution.

Emergence of a dark force in corpuscular gravity

We investigate the emergent laws of gravity when Dark Energy and the de Sitter space-time are modelled as a critical Bose-Einstein condensate of a large number of soft gravitons $N_{\rm G}$. We argue that this scenario requires the presence of various regimes of gravity in which $N_{\rm G}$ scales in different ways. Moreover, the local gravitational interaction affecting baryonic matter can be naturally described in terms of gravitons pulled out from this Dark Energy condensate (DEC). We then explain the additional component of the acceleration at galactic scales, commonly attributed to dark matter, as the reaction of the DEC to the presence of baryonic matter. This additional dark force is also associated to gravitons pulled out from the DEC and correctly reproduces the MOND acceleration. It also allows for an effective description in terms of General Relativity sourced by an anisotropic fluid. We finally calculate the mass ratio between the contribution of the apparent dark matter and the baryonic matter in a region of size $r$ at galactic scales and show that it is consistent with the $\Lambda$CDM predictions.

A multi-frequency analysis of possible dark matter contributions to M31 gamma-ray emissions

We examine the possibility of a dark matter (DM) contribution to the recently observed gamma-ray spectrum seen in the M31 galaxy. In particular, we apply limits on Weakly Interacting Massive Particle DM annihilation cross-sections derived from the Coma galaxy cluster and the Reticulum II dwarf galaxy to determine the maximal flux contribution by DM annihilation to both the M31 gamma-ray spectrum and that of the Milky-Way Galactic Centre. We limit the energy range between 1 and 12 GeV in M31 and Galactic Centre spectra due to the limited range of former's data, as well as to encompass the high-energy gamma-ray excess observed in the latter target. In so doing, we will make use of Fermi-LAT data for all mentioned targets, as well as diffuse radio data for the Coma cluster. The multi-target strategy using both Coma and Reticulum II to derive cross-section limits, as well as multi-frequency data, ensures that our results are robust against the various uncertainties inherent in modelling of indirect DM emissions. Our results indicate that, when a Navarro-Frenk-White (or shallower) radial density profile is assumed, severe constraints can be imposed upon the fraction of the M31 and Galactic Centre spectra that can be accounted for by DM, with the best limits arising from cross-section constraints from Coma radio data and Reticulum II gamma-ray limits. These particular limits force all the studied annihilation channels to contribute 1% or less to the total integrated gamma-ray flux within both M31 and Galactic Centre targets. In contrast, considerably more, 10−100%, of the flux can be attributed to DM when a contracted Navarro-Frenk-White profile is assumed. This demonstrates how sensitive DM contributions to gamma-ray emissions are to the possibility of cored profiles in galaxies. The only channel consistently excluded for all targets and profiles (except for ∼ 10 GeV WIMPs) is the direct annihilation into photons. Finally, we discuss the ramifications of evidence in favour of cored halo density profiles for DM explanations of galactic gamma-ray emission.

Analytic expressions for the dark matter-baryon relations

Recently, some very strong correlations between the distribution of dark matter and baryons (the dark matter-baryon relations) in galaxies with very different morphologies, masses, sizes and gas fractions have been obtained. Some models have been suggested to explain why the dark matter contribution is fully specified by that of the baryons. In this paper, we derive two analytic expressions to explain the observed dark matter-baryon relations based on the cold dark matter (CDM) model. The resultant expressions give excellent agreement with the observational data. The parameters involved in the analytic expressions are closely related to the amount of the baryon content. This model can provide a theoretical understanding of the strong correlations observed. We suggest that the observed relation represents the end product of galaxy formation.

The Initial Mass Function in the Nearest Strong Lenses from SNELLS: Assessing the Consistency of Lensing, Dynamical, and Spectroscopic Constraints

Abstract We present new observations of the three nearest early-type galaxy (ETG) strong lenses discovered in the SINFONI Nearby Elliptical Lens Locator Survey (SNELLS). Based on their lensing masses, these ETGs were inferred to have a stellar initial mass function (IMF) consistent with that of the Milky Way, not the bottom-heavy IMF that has been reported as typical for high-σ ETGs based on lensing, dynamical, and stellar population synthesis techniques. We use these unique systems to test the consistency of IMF estimates derived from different methods. We first estimate the stellar M */L using lensing and stellar dynamics. We then fit high-quality optical spectra of the lenses using an updated version of the stellar population synthesis models developed by Conroy &amp; van Dokkum. When examined individually, we find good agreement among these methods for one galaxy. The other two galaxies show 2–3σ tension with lensing estimates, depending on the dark matter contribution, when considering IMFs that extend to 0.08 M ⊙. Allowing a variable low-mass cutoff or a nonparametric form of the IMF reduces the tension among the IMF estimates to &lt;2σ. There is moderate evidence for a reduced number of low-mass stars in the SNELLS spectra, but no such evidence in a composite spectrum of matched-σ ETGs drawn from the SDSS. Such variation in the form of the IMF at low stellar masses (m ≲ 0.3 M ⊙), if present, could reconcile lensing/dynamical and spectroscopic IMF estimates for the SNELLS lenses and account for their lighter M */L relative to the mean matched-σ ETG. We provide the spectra used in this study to facilitate future comparisons.

The Evolution of the Tully–Fisher Relation between z ∼ 2.3 and z ∼ 0.9 with KMOS3D ∗

Abstract We investigate the stellar mass and baryonic mass Tully–Fisher relations (TFRs) of massive star-forming disk galaxies at redshift and as part of the integral field spectroscopy survey. Our spatially resolved data allow reliable modeling of individual galaxies, including the effect of pressure support on the inferred gravitational potential. At fixed circular velocity, we find higher baryonic masses and similar stellar masses at as compared to . Together with the decreasing gas-to-stellar mass ratios with decreasing redshift, this implies that the contribution of dark matter to the dynamical mass on the galaxy scale increases toward lower redshift. A comparison to local relations reveals a negative evolution of the stellar and baryonic TFR zero points from z = 0 to , no evolution of the stellar TFR zero point from to , and a positive evolution of the baryonic TFR zero point from to . We discuss a toy model of disk galaxy evolution to explain the observed nonmonotonic TFR evolution, taking into account the empirically motivated redshift dependencies of galactic gas fractions and the relative amount of baryons to dark matter on galaxy and halo scales.

Retracted: New aspects of photon propagation in expanding universes

Background Modern cosmology assumes that the cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation is a relict of the much hotter electromagnetic radiation field from the early recombination era of the universe. Its present very low radiation temperature TCMB = 2.735 K thereby is explained by the fact that the cosmic photons in the expanding universe undergo a wavelength stretching according to λ/λ0 = S/S0, where S denotes the scale of the universe. The present-day CMB temperature hence simply expresses the factor by which the universe has grown since the recombination era. Materials and Methods On the basis of well-known facts of Special and General Relativity (SRT and GRT), we reinvestigate the behavior of freely propagating cosmic photons in dynamic Robertson-Walker spacetime geometries and show that in the system of the propagating photon, due to the fact that no time lapses in this proper system, the photon does not change its initial state, that is, its wavelength and energy. We do, however, also show that the global beat of the time changes with the cosmic world time or the cosmic scale S. That means cosmic photons do not change their state, till they are registered by a local detector, that is, a local clock. Results We claim that the energy density of cosmic photons which enters the energy-momentum tensor of Einstein's GRT field equations does not scale like S−4 as assumed in present-day cosmology, but like S−3, that is, identically to the behavior of the energy densities of baryonic or dark matter, meaning that the energy density of photons in the present-day universe cannot be neglected, but counts substantially for the expansion history of the universe. Nevertheless, we show that cosmic photons measured with a present-day detector (local clock) locally will show their cosmological redshift, explaining the present-day CMB Planck spectrum with a Planck temperature of 2.735 K. Conclusions As the energy density of cosmic photons cannot be neglected, their contribution in the GRT energy-momentum tensor is important over all phases of the expansion of the universe. They are thus acting identical to the way how dark matter acts and influences cosmic expansion. This means that the present-day claim for a dark matter contribution in cosmic expansion by Ωdark≃0.23 can be substantially relaxed.

THE EFFECTS OF DARK MATTER ANNIHILATION ON COSMIC REIONIZATION

ABSTRACT We revisit the possibility of constraining the properties of dark matter (DM) by studying the epoch of cosmic reionization. Previous studies have shown that DM annihilation was unlikely to have provided a large fraction of the photons which ionized the universe, but instead played a subdominant role relative to stars and quasars. The DM might, however, have begun to efficiently annihilate with the formation of primordial microhalos at z ∼ 100–200, much earlier than the formation of the first stars. Therefore, if DM annihilation ionized the universe at even the percent level over the interval z ∼ 20–100, it could leave a significant imprint on the global optical depth, τ. Moreover, we show that cosmic microwave background polarization data and future 21 cm measurements will enable us to more directly probe the DM contribution to the optical depth. In order to compute the annihilation rate throughout the epoch of reionization, we adopt the latest results from structure formation studies and explore the impact of various free parameters on our results. We show that future measurements could make it possible to place constraints on the DM’s annihilation cross-sections, which are at a level comparable to those obtained from the observations of dwarf galaxies, cosmic-ray measurements, and studies of recombination.

Radial Acceleration Relation in Rotationally Supported Galaxies.

We report a correlation between the radial acceleration traced by rotation curves and that predicted by the observed distribution of baryons. The same relation is followed by 2693 points in 153 galaxies with very different morphologies, masses, sizes, and gas fractions. The correlation persists even when dark matter dominates. Consequently, the dark matter contribution is fully specified by that of the baryons. The observed scatter is small and largely dominated by observational uncertainties. This radial acceleration relation is tantamount to a natural law for rotating galaxies.

Positive charge prevalence in cosmic rays: Room for dark matter in the positron spectrum

The unexpected energy spectrum of the positron/electron ratio is interpreted astrophysically, with a possible exception of the 100-300 GeV range. The data indicate that this ratio, after a decline between $0.5-8$ GeV, rises steadily with a trend towards saturation at 200-400GeV. These observations (except for the trend) appear to be in conflict with the diffusive shock acceleration (DSA) mechanism, operating in a \emph{single} supernova remnant (SNR) shock. We argue that $e^{+}/e^{-}$ ratio can still be explained by the DSA if positrons are accelerated in a \emph{subset} of SNR shocks which: (i) propagate in clumpy gas media, and (ii) are modified by accelerated CR \emph{protons}. The protons penetrate into the dense gas clumps upstream to produce positrons and, \emph{charge the clumps positively}. The induced electric field expels positrons into the upstream plasma where they are shock-accelerated. Since the shock is modified, these positrons develop a harder spectrum than that of the CR electrons accelerated in other SNRs. Mixing these populations explains the increase in the $e^{+}/e^{-}$ ratio at $E>8$ GeV. It decreases at $E<8$ GeV because of a subshock weakening which also results from the shock modification. Contrary to the expelled positrons, most of the antiprotons, electrons, and heavier nuclei, are left unaccelerated inside the clumps. Scenarios for the 100-300 GeV AMS-02 fraction exceeding the model prediction, including, but not limited to, possible dark matter contribution, are also discussed.

THE RELATION BETWEEN STELLAR AND DYNAMICAL SURFACE DENSITIES IN THE CENTRAL REGIONS OF DISK GALAXIES

ABSTRACT We use the Spitzer Photometry and Accurate Rotation Curves (SPARC) database to study the relation between the central surface density of stars Σ ⋆ ( 0 ) and dynamical mass Σ dyn ( 0 ) in 135 disk galaxies (S0 to dIrr). We find that Σ dyn ( 0 ) correlates tightly with Σ ⋆ ( 0 ) over 4 dex. This central density relation can be described by a double power law. High surface brightness galaxies are consistent with a 1:1 relation, suggesting that they are self-gravitating and baryon dominated in the inner parts. Low surface brightness (LSB) galaxies systematically deviate from the 1:1 line, indicating that the dark matter contribution progressively increases but remains tightly coupled to the stellar one. The observed scatter is small (∼0.2 dex) and largely driven by observational uncertainties. The residuals show no correlations with other galaxy properties like stellar mass, size, or gas fraction.