Dark Matter Core Research Articles

From spirals to lenticulars: Evidence from the rotation curves and mass models of three early-type galaxies

Rotation curves have traditionally been difficult to trace for early-type galaxies (ETGs) because they often lack a high-density disk of cold gas as in late-type galaxies (LTGs). In this work, we derive rotation curves for three lenticular galaxies from the ATLAS3D survey, combining CO data in the inner parts with deep HI data in the outer regions, extending out to 10−20 effective radii. We also use Spitzer photometry at 3.6 μm to decompose the rotation curves into the contributions of baryons and dark matter (DM). We find that (1) the rotation-curve shapes of these ETGs are similar to those of LTGs of a similar mass and surface brightness; (2) the dynamically-inferred stellar mass-to-light ratios are small for quiescent ETGs but similar to those of star-forming LTGs; (3) the DM halos follow the same scaling relations with galaxy luminosity as those of LTGs; and (4) one galaxy (NGC 3626) is poorly fit by cuspy DM profiles, suggesting that DM cores may exist in high-mass galaxies too. Our results indicate that these lenticular galaxies have recently transitioned from LTGs to ETGs without altering their DM halo structure (e.g., via a major merger), and they could be faded spirals. We also confirm that ETGs follow the same radial acceleration relation as LTGs, reinforcing the notion that this is a universal law for all galaxy types.

Geodesic motion of S2 and G2 as a test of the fermionic dark matter nature of our Galactic core

The motion of S-stars around the Galactic center implies that the central gravitational potential is dominated by a compact source, Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*), which has a mass of about 4 × 106 M⊙ and is traditionally assumed to be a massive black hole (BH). The explanation of the multiyear accurate astrometric data of the S2 star around Sgr A*, including the relativistic redshift that has recently been verified, is particularly important for this hypothesis and for any alternative model. Another relevant object is G2, whose most recent observational data challenge the scenario of a massive BH: its post-pericenter radial velocity is lower than expected from a Keplerian orbit around the putative massive BH. This scenario has traditionally been reconciled by introducing a drag force on G2 by an accretion flow. As an alternative to the central BH scenario, we here demonstrate that the observed motion of both S2 and G2 is explained in terms of the dense core – diluted halo fermionic dark matter (DM) profile, obtained from the fully relativistic Ruffini-Argüelles-Rueda (RAR) model. It has previously been shown that for fermion masses 48−345 keV, the RAR-DM profile accurately fits the rotation curves of the Milky Way halo. We here show that the solely gravitational potential of such a DM profile for a fermion mass of 56 keV explains (1) all the available time-dependent data of the position (orbit) and line-of-sight radial velocity (redshift function z) of S2, (2) the combination of the special and general relativistic redshift measured for S2, (3) the currently available data on the orbit and z of G2, and (4) its post-pericenter passage deceleration without introducing a drag force. For both objects, we find that the RAR model fits the data better than the BH scenario: the mean of reduced chi-squares of the time-dependent orbit and z data are ⟨χ̄2⟩S2,RAR ≈ 3.1 and ⟨χ̄2⟩S2,BH ≈ 3.3 for S2 and ⟨χ̄2⟩G2,RAR ≈ 20 and ⟨χ̄2⟩G2,BH ≈ 41 for G2. The fit of the corresponding z data shows that while for S2 we find comparable fits, that is, χ̄2z,RAR ≈ 1.28 and χ̄2z,BH ≈ 1.04, for G2 the RAR model alone can produce an excellent fit of the data, that is, χ̄2z,RAR ≈ 1.0 and χ̄2z,BH ≈ 26. In addition, the critical mass for gravitational collapse of a degenerate 56 keV-fermion DM core into a BH is ∼ 108 M⊙. This result may provide the initial seed for the formation of the observed central supermassive BH in active galaxies, such as M 87.

Scaling relations for dark matter core density and radius from Chandra X-ray cluster sample

A large number of studies have found that the dark matter surface density, given by the product of the dark matter core radius ($r_c$) and core density ($\rho_c$) is approximately constant for a wide range of galaxy systems. However, there has been only one systematic study of this {\it ansatz} for galaxy clusters by Chan (arXiv:1403.4352), who found that the surface density for clusters is not constant and $\rho_c \sim r_c^{-1.46}$. We carry out this test for an X-ray sample of 12 relaxed clusters from Chandra observations, implementing the same procedure as Chan, but also accounting for the gas and star mass. We find that $\rho_c \propto r_c^{-1.08 \pm 0.055}$, with an intrinsic scatter of about 18%. Therefore, the dark matter surface density for our cluster data shows deviations from a constant value at only about 1.4$\sigma$.

Galactic center constraints on self-interacting sterile neutrinos from fermionic dark matter (“ino”) models

The neutrino minimal standard model ($\nu$MSM) has been tightly constrained in the recent years, either from dark matter (DM) production or from X-ray and small-scale observations. However, current bounds on sterile neutrino DM can be significantly modified when considering a $\nu$MSM extension, in which the DM candidates interact via a massive (axial) vector field. In particular, standard production mechanisms in the early Universe can be affected through the decay of such a massive mediator. We perform an indirect detection analysis to study how the $\nu$MSM parameter-space constraints are affected by said interactions. We compute the X-ray fluxes considering a DM profile that self-consistently accounts for the particle physics model by using an updated version of the Ruffini-Arg\"uelles-Rueda (RAR) fermionic ("ino") model, instead of phenomenological profiles such as the Navarro-Frenk-White (NFW) distribution. We show that the RAR profile accounting for interacting DM, is compatible with measurements of the Galaxy rotation curve and constraints on the DM self-interacting cross section from the Bullet cluster. A new analysis of the X-ray NuSTAR data in the central parsec of the Milky Way, is here performed to derive constraints on the self-interacting sterile neutrino parameter-space. Such constraints are stronger than those obtained with commonly used DM profiles, due to the dense DM core characteristic of the RAR profiles.

A dark matter profile to model diverse feedback-induced core sizes of ΛCDM haloes

ABSTRACT We analyse the cold dark matter density profiles of 54 galaxy haloes simulated with Feedback In Realistic Environments (FIRE)-2 galaxy formation physics, each resolved within $0.5{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of the halo virial radius. These haloes contain galaxies with masses that range from ultrafaint dwarfs ($M_\star \simeq 10^{4.5}\, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$) to the largest spirals ($M_\star \simeq 10^{11}\, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$) and have density profiles that are both cored and cuspy. We characterize our results using a new, analytic density profile that extends the standard two-parameter Einasto form to allow for a pronounced constant density core in the resolved innermost radius. With one additional core-radius parameter, rc, this three-parameter core-Einasto profile is able to characterize our feedback-impacted dark matter haloes more accurately than other three-parameter profiles proposed in the literature. To enable comparisons with observations, we provide fitting functions for rc and other profile parameters as a function of both M⋆ and M⋆/Mhalo. In agreement with past studies, we find that dark matter core formation is most efficient at the characteristic stellar-to-halo mass ratio M⋆/Mhalo ≃ 5 × 10−3, or $M_{\star } \sim 10^9 \, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$, with cores that are roughly the size of the galaxy half-light radius, rc ≃ 1−5 kpc. Furthermore, we find no evidence for core formation at radii $\gtrsim 100\ \rm pc$ in galaxies with M⋆/Mhalo < 5 × 10−4 or $M_\star \lesssim 10^6 \, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$. For Milky Way-size galaxies, baryonic contraction often makes haloes significantly more concentrated and dense at the stellar half-light radius than DMO runs. However, even at the Milky Way scale, FIRE-2 galaxy formation still produces small dark matter cores of ≃ 0.5−2 kpc in size. Recent evidence for a ∼2 kpc core in the Milky Way’s dark matter halo is consistent with this expectation.

Dark matter cores and cusps in spiral galaxies and their explanations

We compare proposed solutions to the core vs cusp issue of spiral galaxies, which has also been framed as a diversity problem, and demonstrate that the cuspiness of dark matter halos is correlated with the stellar surface brightness. We compare the rotation curve fits to the SPARC sample from a self-interacting dark matter (SIDM) model, which self-consistently includes the impact of baryons on the halo profile, and hydrodynamical N-body simulations with cold dark matter (CDM) . The SIDM model predicts a strong correlation between the core size and the stellar surface density, and it provides the best global fit to the data. The CDM simulations without strong baryonic feedback effects fail to explain the large dark matter cores seen in low surface brightness galaxies. On the other hand, with strong feedback, CDM simulations do not produce galaxy analogs with high stellar and dark matter densities, and therefore they have trouble in explaining the rotation curves of high surface brightness galaxies. This implies that current feedback implementations need to be modified. We also explicitly show how the concentration-mass and stellar-to-halo mass relations together lead to a radial acceleration relation (RAR) in an averaged sense, and reiterate the point that the RAR does not capture the diversity of galaxy rotation curves in the inner regions. These results make a strong case for SIDM as the explanation for the cores and cusps of field galaxies.

Accelerated core collapse in tidally stripped self-interacting dark matter halos

We use a semianalytic approach that is calibrated to N-body simulations to study the evolution of self-interacting dark matter cores in galaxies. We demarcate the regime where the temporal evolution of the core density follows a well-defined track set by the initial halo parameters and the cross section. Along this track, the central density reaches a minimum value set by the initial halo density. Further evolution leads to an outward heat transfer, inducing gravothermal core collapse such that the core shrinks as its density increases. We show that the time scale for the core collapse is highly sensitive to the outer radial density profile. Satellite galaxies with significant mass loss due to tidal stripping should have larger central densities and significantly faster core collapse compared to isolated halos. Such a scenario could explain the dense and compact cores of dwarf galaxies in the Local Group like Tucana (isolated from the Milky Way), the classical Milky Way satellite Draco, and some of the ultrafaint satellites. If the ultimate fate of core collapse is black hole formation, then the accelerated time scale provides a new mechanism for creating intermediate mass black holes.

Cusp-to-core transition in low-mass dwarf galaxies induced by dynamical heating of cold dark matter by primordial black holes

ABSTRACT We performed a series of high-resolution N-body simulations to examine whether dark matter candidates in the form of primordial black holes (PBHs) can solve the cusp–core problem in low-mass dwarf galaxies. If some fraction of the dark matter in low-mass dwarf galaxies consists of PBHs and the rest is cold dark matter, dynamical heating of the cold dark matter by the PBHs induces a cusp-to-core transition in the total dark matter profile. The mechanism works for PBHs in the 25–100 M⊙ mass window, consistent with the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) detections, but requires a lower limit on the PBH mass fraction of 1 ${{\rm per\ cent}}$ of the total dwarf galaxy dark matter content. The cusp-to-core transition time-scale is between 1 and 8 Gyr. This time-scale is also a constant multiple of the relaxation time between cold dark matter particles and PBHs, which depends on the mass, the mass fraction, and the scale radius of the initial density profile of PBHs. We conclude that dark matter cores occur naturally in haloes composed of cold dark matter and PBHs, without the need to invoke baryonic processes.

Embedding globular clusters in dark matter minihaloes solves the cusp–core and timing problems in the Fornax dwarf galaxy

ABSTRACT We use a fully GPU N-body code to demonstrate that dark matter (DM) minihaloes, as a new component of globular clusters (GCs), resolve both the timing and cusp–core problems in Fornax if the (five or six) GCs were recently accreted (≤3 Gyr ago) by Fornax. Under these assumptions, infall of these GCs does not occur and no star clusters form in the centre of Fornax in accordance with observations. We find that crossings of GCss that have DM minihaloes near the Fornax centre induce a cusp-to-core transition of the DM halo and hence resolve the cusp–core problem in this dwarf galaxy. The DM core size depends on the frequency of GC crossings. Our simulations clearly demonstrate also that between the passages, the DM halo can regenerate its cusp. Moreover, our models are in good agreement with constraints on the DM masses of GCs as our clusters lose a large fraction of their initial DM minihaloes. These results provide circumstantial evidence for the universal existence of DM haloes in GCs.

A dwarf–dwarf merger and dark matter core as a solution to the globular cluster problems in the Fornax dSph

ABSTRACT The five globular clusters (GCs) of the Fornax dwarf spheroidal galaxy are puzzling for two reasons; the mass in GCs is high with respect to the galaxy’s old stellar mass and their survival and large distance (>1 kpc) is at odds with naive expectations of dynamical friction. We present here a semi-analytic model, simultaneously addressing both problems in a comprehensive evolutionary framework for Fornax. Key to the model is inclusion of: (1) hydrodynamical constraints on the GC formation locations, (2) self-consistent velocity distribution functions in the dynamical friction calculations, and (3) expansion of GC orbits due to a past dwarf–dwarf merger in the orbit integrations. The latter is crucial for reconciling the dynamical survival of the clusters and their chemical properties with respect to the Fornax field stars. We find that in order for four of the GCs to survive at their observed projected location, a dark matter core of size rc > 1.5 kpc and a dwarf merger with dynamical mass ratio of 1:5 ≤ η ≤ 1:2 with Fornax is required. We support the merger scenario by showing that aspects of the field star metallicity distribution function and anomalous chemical properties of GC5, are representative of a merging galaxy which is ∼1/3 less massive than Fornax. Together the chemical and dynamical models suggest a scenario where three in situ GCs in proto-Fornax were ejected to the outskirts during the merger, a GC4 formed during the merger at about 10 Gyr ago, with GC5 being brought in by the merging galaxy to Fornax.

Star formation at the edge of the Local Group: a rising star formation history in the isolated galaxy WLM

ABSTRACT We present the star formation history (SFH) of the isolated (D ∼ 970 kpc) Local Group dwarf galaxy Wolf–Lundmark–Melotte (WLM) measured from colour–magnitude diagrams (CMDs) constructed from deep Hubble Space Telescope imaging. Our observations include a central ($0.5 \, r_h$) and outer field ($0.7 \, r_h$) that reach below the oldest main-sequence turn-off. WLM has no early dominant episode of star formation: 20 per cent of its stellar mass formed by ∼12.5 Gyr ago ($z$ ∼ 5). It also has an SFR that rises to the present with 50 per cent of the stellar mass within the most recent 5 Gyr ($z$ < 0.7). There is evidence of a strong age gradient: the mean age of the outer field is 5 Gyr older than the inner field despite being only 0.4 kpc apart. Some models suggest such steep gradients are associated with strong stellar feedback and dark-matter core creation. The SFHs of real isolated dwarf galaxies and those from the Feedback in Realistic Environment suite are in good agreement for M⋆($z$ = 0) ∼ 107–109M⊙, but in worse agreement at lower masses ($M_{\star }(z=0) \sim 10^5\!-\!10^7 \, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$). These differences may be explainable by systematics in the models (e.g. reionization model) and/or observations (HST field placement). We suggest that a coordinated effort to get deep CMDs between HST/JWST (crowded central fields) and WFIRST (wide-area halo coverage) is the optimal path for measuring global SFHs of isolated dwarf galaxies.

Be it therefore resolved: cosmological simulations of dwarf galaxies with 30 solar mass resolution

ABSTRACT We study a suite of extremely high-resolution cosmological Feedback in Realistic Environments simulations of dwarf galaxies ($M_{\rm halo} \lesssim 10^{10}\rm \, M_{\odot }$), run to z = 0 with $30\, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$ resolution, sufficient (for the first time) to resolve the internal structure of individual supernovae remnants within the cooling radius. Every halo with $M_{\rm halo} \gtrsim 10^{8.6}\, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$ is populated by a resolved stellar galaxy, suggesting very low-mass dwarfs may be ubiquitous in the field. Our ultra-faint dwarfs (UFDs; $M_{\ast }\lt 10^{5}\, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$) have their star formation (SF) truncated early (z ≳ 2), likely by reionization, while classical dwarfs ($M_{\ast }\gt 10^{5}\, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$) continue forming stars to z < 0.5. The systems have bursty star formation histories, forming most of their stars in periods of elevated SF strongly clustered in both space and time. This allows our dwarf with M*/Mhalo > 10−4 to form a dark matter core ${\gt}200\rm \, pc$, while lower mass UFDs exhibit cusps down to ${\lesssim}100\rm \, pc$, as expected from energetic arguments. Our dwarfs with $M_{\ast }\gt 10^{4}\, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$ have half-mass radii (R1/2) in agreement with Local Group (LG) dwarfs (dynamical mass versus R1/2 and stellar rotation also resemble observations). The lowest mass UFDs are below surface brightness limits of current surveys but are potentially visible in next-generation surveys (e.g. LSST). The stellar metallicities are lower than in LG dwarfs; this may reflect pre-enrichment of the LG by the massive hosts or Pop-III stars. Consistency with lower resolution studies implies that our simulations are numerically robust (for a given physical model).

Accretion-induced Collapse of Dark Matter Admixed White Dwarfs. II. Rotation and Gravitational-wave Signals

Abstract We present axisymmetric hydrodynamical simulations of accretion-induced collapse (AIC) of dark matter (DM) admixed rotating white dwarfs (WD) and their burst gravitational-wave (GW) signals. For initial WD models with the same central baryon density, the admixed DM is found to delay the plunge and bounce phases of AIC, and decrease the central density and mass of the protoneutron star (PNS) produced. The bounce time, central density, and PNS mass generally depend on two parameters, the admixed DM mass M DM and the ratio between the rotational kinetic and gravitational energies of the inner core at bounce . The emitted GWs have generic waveform shapes and the variation of their amplitudes h + show a degeneracy on and M DM. We found that the ratios between the GW amplitude peaks around bounce allow breaking of the degeneracy and extraction of both and M DM. Even within the uncertainties of the nuclear matter equation of state, a DM core can be inferred if its mass is greater than 0.03 M ⊙. We also discuss possible DM effects on the GW signals emitted by PNS g-mode oscillations. GWs may boost the possibility for the detection of AIC, as well as open a new window into the indirect detection of DM.

Sloshing of Galaxy Cluster Core Plasma in the Presence of Self-interacting Dark Matter

Abstract The “sloshing” of the cold gas in the cores of relaxed clusters of galaxies is a widespread phenomenon evidenced by the presence of spiral-shaped “cold fronts” in X-ray observations of these systems. In simulations, these flows of cold gas readily form via interactions of the cluster core with small subclusters, due to a separation of the cold gas from the dark matter (DM), due to their markedly different collisionalities. In this work, we use numerical simulations to investigate the effects of increasing the DM collisionality on sloshing cold fronts in a cool-core cluster. For clusters in isolation, the formation of a flat DM core via self-interactions results in modest adiabatic expansion and cooling of the core gas. In merger simulations, cold fronts form in the same manner as in previous simulations, but the flattened potential in the core region enables the gas to expand to larger radii in the initial stages. Upon infall, the subclusters DM mass decreases via collisions, reducing its influence on the core. Thus, the sloshing gas moves slower, inhibiting the growth of fluid instabilities relative to simulations where the DM cross section is zero. This also inhibits turbulent mixing and the increase in entropy that would otherwise result. For values of the cross section σ/m ≳ 1, subclusters do not survive as self-gravitating structures for more than two core passages. Additionally, separations between the peaks in the X-ray emissivity and thermal Sunyaev–Zeldovich effect signals during sloshing may place constraints on DM self-interactions.

Gravitational wave signatures of dark matter cores in binary neutron star mergers by using numerical simulations

Recent detections by the gravitational wave facilities LIGO/Virgo have opened a window to study the internal structure of neutron stars through the gravitational waves emitted during their coalescence. In this work we explore, through numerical simulations, the gravitational radiation produced by the merger of binary neutron stars with dark matter particles trapped on their interior, focusing on distinguishable imprints produced by these dark matter cores. Our results reveal the presence of a strong m = 1 mode in the waveforms during the post-merger stage, together with other relevant features. Comparison of our results with observations might allow us to constraint the amount of dark matter in the interior of neutron star.

Type Ia supernovae from dark matter core collapse

Dark matter (DM) which sufficiently heats a local region in a white dwarf will trigger runaway fusion, igniting a type Ia supernova (SN). In a companion paper, this instability was used to constrain DM heavier than $10^{16}$ GeV which ignites SN through the violent interaction of one or two individual DM particles with the stellar medium. Here we study the ignition of supernovae by the formation and self-gravitational collapse of a DM core containing many DM particles. For non-annihilating DM, such a core collapse may lead to a mini black hole that can ignite SN through the emission of Hawking radiation, or possibly as a by-product of accretion. For annihilating DM, core collapse leads to an increasing annihilation rate and can ignite SN through a large number of rapid annihilations. These processes extend the previously derived constraints on DM to masses as low as $10^{5}$ GeV.

The OSIRIS Lens-amplified Survey (OLAS). I. Dynamical Effects of Stellar Feedback in Low-mass Galaxies at z ∼ 2

Abstract We introduce the OSIRIS Lens-Amplified Survey (OLAS), a kinematic survey of gravitationally lensed galaxies at cosmic noon taken with Keck adaptive optics. In this paper, we present spatially resolved spectroscopy and nebular emission kinematic maps for 17 star-forming galaxies with stellar masses 8 < log(M */M ⊙) < 9.8 and redshifts 1.2 < z < 2.3. OLAS is designed to probe the stellar mass (M *) and specific star formation rate (sSFR) range where simulations suggest that stellar feedback is most effective at driving gaseous outflows that create galaxy-wide potential fluctuations, which can generate dark matter cores. We compare our kinematic data with the trend among sSFR, M *, and Hα velocity dispersion, σ, from the Feedback In Realistic Environments (FIRE) simulations. Our observations reveal a correlation between sSFR and σ at fixed M * that is similar to the trend predicted by simulations: feedback from star formation drives star-forming gas and newly formed stars into more dispersion-dominated orbits. The observed magnitude of this effect is in good agreement with the FIRE simulations, in which feedback alters the central density profiles of low-mass galaxies, converting dark matter cusps into cores over time. Our data support the scenario that stellar feedback drives gaseous outflows and potential fluctuations, which in turn drive dark matter core formation in dwarf galaxies.

Baryon-induced dark matter cores in the eagle simulations

ABSTRACT We examine the formation of dark matter (DM) cores in dwarf galaxies simulated with the eagle model of galaxy formation. As in earlier work, we find that the star formation (SF) gas density threshold (ρth) plays a critical role. At low thresholds (LT), gas is unable to reach densities high enough to dominate the gravitational potential before being dispersed by feedback from supernovae. LT runs show little effect on the inner DM profile, even in systems with extended and bursty SF, two ingredients often cited as critical for core formation. For higher thresholds, gas is able to dominate the gravitational potential before being ejected by feedback. This can lead to a substantial reduction in the inner DM content, but only if the gas is gravitationally important over an extended period of time, allowing the halo to contract before gas removal. Rapid assembly and removal of gas in short SF bursts is less effective at altering the inner DM content. Subsequent gas accretion may draw DM back in and reform a cusp, unless SF is bursty enough to prevent it, preserving the core. Thus, for the eagle SF + feedback model, there is no simple relation between core formation and SF history, contrary to recent claims. The dependence of the inner DM content of dwarfs on ρth hinders robust predictions and the interpretation of observations. A simulation of a $(12 \rm \ Mpc)^3$ volume with high ρth results in dwarfs with sizeable cores over a limited halo mass range, but with insufficient variety in mass profiles to explain the observed diversity of dwarf galaxy rotation curves.

Globular clusters as probes of dark matter cusp-core transformations

Abstract Bursty star formation in dwarf galaxies can slowly transform a steep dark matter cusp into a constant density core. We explore the possibility that globular clusters (GCs) retain a dynamical memory of this transformation. To test this, we use the nbody6df code to simulate the dynamical evolution of GCs, including stellar evolution, orbiting in static and time-varying potentials for a Hubble time. We find that GCs orbiting within a cored dark matter halo, or within a halo that has undergone a cusp-core transformation, grow to a size that is substantially larger (Reff > 10 pc) than those in a static cusped dark matter halo. They also produce much less tidal debris. We find that the cleanest signal of an historic cusp-core transformation is the presence of large GCs with tidal debris. However, the effect is small and will be challenging to observe in real galaxies. Finally, we qualitatively compare our simulated GCs with the observed GC populations in the Fornax, NGC 6822, IKN, and Sagittarius dwarf galaxies. We find that the GCs in these dwarf galaxies are systematically larger (〈Reff〉 ≃ 7.8 pc), and have substantially more scatter in their sizes than in situ metal-rich GCs in the Milky Way and young massive star clusters forming in M83 (〈Reff〉 ≃ 2.5 pc). We show that the size, scatter, and survival of GCs in dwarf galaxies are all consistent with them having evolved in a constant density core, or a potential that has undergone a cusp-core transformation, but not in a dark matter cusp.

Formation of ultra-diffuse galaxies in the field and in galaxy groups

ABSTRACT We study ultra-diffuse galaxies (UDGs) in zoom in cosmological simulations, seeking the origin of UDGs in the field versus galaxy groups. We find that while field UDGs arise from dwarfs in a characteristic mass range by multiple episodes of supernova feedback (Di Cintio et al.), group UDGs may also form by tidal puffing up and they become quiescent by ram-pressure stripping. The field and group UDGs share similar properties, independent of distance from the group centre. Their dark-matter haloes have ordinary spin parameters and centrally dominant dark-matter cores. Their stellar components tend to have a prolate shape with a Sérsic index n ∼ 1 but no significant rotation. Ram pressure removes the gas from the group UDGs when they are at pericentre, quenching star formation in them and making them redder. This generates a colour/star-formation-rate gradient with distance from the centre of the dense environment, as observed in clusters. We find that ∼20 per cent of the field UDGs that fall into a massive halo survive as satellite UDGs. In addition, normal field dwarfs on highly eccentric orbits can become UDGs near pericentre due to tidal puffing up, contributing about half of the group-UDG population. We interpret our findings using simple toy models, showing that gas stripping is mostly due to ram pressure rather than tides. We estimate that the energy deposited by tides in the bound component of a satellite over one orbit can cause significant puffing up provided that the orbit is sufficiently eccentric. We caution that while the simulations produce UDGs that match the observations, they under-produce the more compact dwarfs in the same mass range, possibly because of the high threshold for star formation or the strong feedback.