Standard Cold Dark Matter Model Research Articles

Probing dark matter with adaptive-optics based flux ratio anomalies: photometric and astrometric precision

Abstract Strong gravitational lensing is a powerful probe of the distribution of matter on sub-kpc scales. It can be used to test the existence of completely dark subhalos surrounding galaxies, as predicted by the standard cold dark matter model, or to test alternative dark matter models. The constraining power of the method depends strongly on photometric and astrometric precision and accuracy. We simulate and quantify the capabilities of upcoming adaptive optics systems and advanced instruments on ground-based telescopes, focusing as an illustration on the Keck Telescope (OSIRIS + KAPA, LIGER + KAPA) and the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT; IRIS + NFIRAOS). We show that these new systems will achieve dramatic improvements over current ones in both photometric and astrometric precision. Narrow line flux ratio errors below 2 per cent, and submilliarcsecond astrometric precision will be attainable for typical quadruply imaged quasars. With TMT, the exposure times required will be of order a few minutes per system, enabling the follow-up of 100-1000 systems expected to be discovered by the Rubin, Euclid, and Roman Telescopes.

Velocity Acoustic Oscillations on Cosmic Dawn 21 cm Power Spectrum as a Probe of Small-scale Density Fluctuations

We investigate the feasibility of using the velocity acoustic oscillations (VAO) features on the Cosmic Dawn 21 cm power spectrum to probe small-scale density fluctuations. In the standard cold dark matter (CDM) model, Population III stars form in minihalos and affect the 21 cm signal through Lyα and X-ray radiation. Such a process is modulated by the relative motion between dark matter and baryons, generating the VAO wiggles on the 21 cm power spectrum. In the fuzzy or warm dark matter models for which the number of minihalos is reduced, the VAO wiggles are weaker or even fully invisible. We investigate the wiggle features in the CDM with different astrophysical models and in different dark matter models. We find that (1) in the CDM model the relative streaming velocities can generate the VAO wiggles for broad ranges of parameters f *, ζ X , and f esc,LW ζ LW, though for different parameters the wiggles would appear at different redshifts and have different amplitudes. (2) For the axion model with m a ≲ 10−19 eV, the VAO wiggles are negligible. In the mixed model, the VAO signal is sensitive to the axion fraction. For example, the wiggles almost disappear when f a ≳ 10% for m a = 10−21 eV. Therefore, the VAO signal can be an effective indicator for small-scale density fluctuations and a useful probe of the nature of dark matter. The Square Kilometre Array-low with ∼2000 hr observation time has the ability to detect the VAO signal and constrain dark matter models.

Cluster halo shapes in CDM and SIDM models: unveiling the DM particle nature using a weak-lensing approach

ABSTRACT Self-interacting dark matter (SIDM) is an alternative to the standard collisionless cold dark matter model (CDM), allowing for interactions between the dark-matter particles through the introduction of a self-scattering cross-section. However, the observable effects between these two scenarios are hard to detect. In this work, we present a detailed analysis of an application of galaxy–galaxy lensing to measure with high precision the shapes of cluster haloes and how this approach can be used to obtain information regarding the nature of the dark-matter particle. Using two sets of simulated data, SIDM and CDM simulations, we compute stacked shear maps centred on several subsets of haloes with masses ≳1013.5 M⊙. From these maps, we obtain the quadrupole profiles related to the mean projected elongation of the particle distribution from which the shape parameters are derived. Accounting for a radial shape variation, this technique provides an enhancement of the observed differences between the simulated data sets. In particular, we obtain a higher slope of the power law for the shape-radial relation for the haloes identified in the SIDM simulation, which are rounder towards the centre. Also, as approaching to the mean virial radius, the projected semi-axis ratios converge to similar values than in the CDM simulation. Moreover, we account for the impact of the neighbouring mass, where more strongly elongated distributions are found for the haloes in the SIDM simulation, indicating that under dark matter self interaction, the large-scale structure imprints a more coherent accretion process.

Formula omitted] cosmology in the regime of quasar observations

The open problems related to cosmological tensions in current times have opened new paths to study new probes to constrain cosmological parameters in standard and extended cosmologies, in particular, to determine at a local level the value of the Hubble constant H0, through independent techniques. However, while standard Cosmological Constant Cold Dark Matter (ΛCDM) model has been well constrained and parts of extended cosmology have been intensively studied, the physics behind them aspects restrains our possibilities of selecting the best cosmological model that can show a significant difference from the first model. Therefore, to explore a possible deviation from a such model that can explain the current discrepancy on the H0 value, in this work we consider adding the current local observables, e.g. Supernovae Type Ia (SNIa), H(z) measurements, and Baryon Acoustic Observations (BAO) combined with two new calibrated Quasars (QSO) datasets using ultraviolet, x-ray and optical plane techniques. While these can be identified as part of the high-redshift standard candle objects, the main characteristics of these are based on fluxes distributions calibrated up to z∼7. We consider five H0 prior scenarios to develop these calibrations. Furthermore, we found that our estimations provide the possibility to relax the H0 tension at 2σ using a QSO ultraviolet sample in combination with late measurements showing higher values of H0. Our results can be an initial start for more serious treatments in the quasars physics from ultraviolet, x-ray, and optical plane techniques behind the local observations as cosmological probes to relax the cosmological tensions problems.

Self-similar solutions for fuzzy dark matter

Self-similar solutions for fuzzy dark matter are very different from their counterparts in the standard cold dark matter model. In contrast to the familiar hierarchical collapse of the current model for structure formation, they correspond to an inverse hierarchical blow-up. This fact highlights the gravitational cooling process, which in the absence of dissipation, allows the system to eject excess energy through the intermittent expulsion of clumps of matter. These surprising behaviours are due to the wave properties of the Schrödinger equation and to the quantum pressure. These features are printed in the Eulerian density-velocity representation of the nonrelativistic scalar field, or in the Lagrangian representation in the mass-shell trajectories.

JWST high-redshift galaxy constraints on warm and cold dark matter models

Context. Warm dark matter is a possible alternative to cold dark matter to explain cosmological structure formation. Aims. We study the implications of the latest JWST data on the nature of dark matter. Methods. We compare properties of high-redshift galaxies observed by JWST with hydrodynamical simulations, in the standard cold dark matter model and in warm dark matter models with a suppressed linear matter power spectrum Results. We find that current data are neither in tension with cold dark matter nor with warm dark matter models with mWDM > 2 keV, since they probe bright and rare objects whose physical properties are similar in the different scenarios. Conclusions. We also show how two observables, the galaxy luminosity functions and the galaxy correlation function at small scales of faint objects, can be promising tools for discriminating between the different dark-matter scenarios. Further hints may come from early stellar-mass statistics and galaxy CO emission.

A preference for cold dark matter over Superfluid Dark Matter in local Milky Way data

There are many well-known correlations between dark matter and baryons that exist on galactic scales. These correlations can essentially be encompassed by a simple scaling relation between observed and baryonic accelerations, historically known as the Mass Discrepancy Acceleration Relation (MDAR). The existence of such a relation has prompted many theories that attempt to explain the correlations by invoking additional fundamental forces on baryons. The standard lore has been that a theory that reduces to the MDAR on galaxy scales but behaves like cold dark matter (CDM) on larger scales provides an excellent fit to data, since CDM is desirable on scales of clusters and above. However, this statement should be revised in light of recent results showing that a fundamental force that reproduces the MDAR is challenged by local Milky Way dynamics and rotation curve data between 5-18 kpc. In this study, we test this claim on the example of Superfluid Dark Matter. We find that a standard CDM model is preferred over a static superfluid profile assuming a steady-state Galactic disk and discuss the robustness of this conclusion to disequilibrium effects. This preference is due to the fact that the superfluid model over-predicts vertical accelerations, even while reproducing galactic rotation curves. Our results establish an important criterion that any dark matter model must satisfy within the Milky Way.

If Dark Matter is Fuzzy, the First Stars Form in Massive Pancakes

Fuzzy dark matter (FDM) is a proposed modification for the standard cold dark matter (CDM) model motivated by small-scale discrepancies in low-mass galaxies. Composed of ultralight (mass ∼ 1022 eV) axions with kiloparsec-scale de Broglie wavelengths, this is one of a class of candidates that predicts that the first collapsed objects form in relatively massive dark matter halos. This implies that the formation history of the first stars and galaxies would be very different, potentially placing strong constraints on such models. Here we numerically simulate the formation of the first stars in an FDM cosmology, following the collapse in a representative volume all the way down to primordial protostar formation including a primordial nonequilibrium chemical network and cooling for the first time. We find two novel results: first, the large-scale collapse results in a very thin and flat gas “pancake”; second, despite the very different cosmology, this pancake fragments until it forms protostellar objects indistinguishable from those in CDM. Combined, these results indicate that the first generation of stars in this model are also likely to be massive and, because of the sheet morphology, do not self-regulate, resulting in a massive Population III starburst. We estimate the total number of first stars forming in this extended structure to be 104 over 20 Myr using a simple model to account for the ionizing feedback from the stars, and should be observable with the James Webb Space Telescope. These predictions provide a potential smoking gun signature of FDM and similar dark matter candidates.

Constraining ultralight vector dark matter with the Parkes Pulsar Timing Array second data release

Composed of ultralight bosons, fuzzy dark matter provides an intriguing solution to challenges that the standard cold dark matter model encounters on sub-galactic scales. The ultralight dark matter with mass $m\sim10^{-23} \rm{eV}$ will induce a periodic oscillation in gravitational potentials with a frequency in the nanohertz band, leading to observable effects in the arrival times of radio pulses from pulsars. Unlike scalar dark matter, pulsar timing signals induced by the vector dark matter are dependent on the oscillation direction of the vector fields. In this work, we search for ultralight vector dark matter in the mass range of $[2\times 10^{-24}, 2\times 10^{-22}]{\rm{eV}}$ through its gravitational effect in the Parkes Pulsar Timing Array (PPTA) second data release. Since no statistically significant detection is made, we place $95\%$ upper limits on the local dark matter density as $\rho_{\rm{\tiny{VF}}} \lesssim 5{\rm{GeV/cm^{3}}}$ for $m\lesssim 10^{-23}{\rm{eV}}$. As no preferred direction is found for the vector dark matter, these constraints are comparable to those given by the scalar dark matter search with an earlier 12-year data set of PPTA.

A forward-modelling method to infer the dark matter particle mass from strong gravitational lenses

ABSTRACT A fundamental prediction of the cold dark matter (CDM) model of structure formation is the existence of a vast population of dark matter haloes extending to subsolar masses. By contrast, other dark matter models, such as a warm thermal relic (WDM), predict a cutoff in the mass function at a mass which, for popular models, lies approximately between 107 and $10^{10}\, {\rm M}_\odot$. We use mock observations to demonstrate the viability of a forward modelling approach to extract information about low-mass dark haloes lying along the line of sight to galaxy–galaxy strong lenses. This can be used to constrain the mass of a thermal relic dark matter particle, mDM. With 50 strong lenses at Hubble Space Telescope resolution and a maximum pixel signal-to-noise ratio of ∼50, the expected median 2σ constraint for a CDM-like model (with a halo mass cutoff at $10^{7}\, {\rm M}_\odot$) is $m_\mathrm{DM} \gt 4.10 \, \mathrm{keV}$ (50 per cent chance of constraining mDM to be better than 4.10 keV). If, however, the dark matter is a warm particle of $m_\mathrm{DM}=2.2 \, \mathrm{keV}$, our ‘approximate Bayesian computation’ method would result in a median estimate of mDM between 1.43 and 3.21 keV. Our method can be extended to the large samples of strong lenses that will be observed by future telescopes and could potentially rule out the standard CDM model of cosmogony. To aid future survey design, we quantify how these constraints will depend on data quality (spatial resolution and integration time) as well as on the lensing geometry (source and lens redshifts).

Imprints of decaying dark matter on cosmic voids

The Standard Cosmological Model assumes that more than 85\% of matter is in the form of collisionless and pressureless dark matter. Unstable decaying dark matter has been proposed in the literature as an extension to the standard cold dark matter model. In this paper we investigate a scenario when dark matter decays and the resultant particle moves with respect to the dark matter. A covariant hydrodynamical model is developed in which the decay is modeled by the transfer of energy-momentum between two dark dust fluid components. We parameterise the model in terms of the decay rate $\Gamma$ and injection velocity $v_i$ of the resultant dark matter particles. We apply the framework to study the evolution of cosmic voids which are environments with low content of baryonic matter. Thus, unlike baryon-rich environments, voids provide an opportunity to measure dark matter signals that are less contaminated by complex baryonic processes. We find that the growth of S-type voids is modified by the dark matter decay, leading to imprints at the present day. This paper serves as a proof-of-concept that cosmic voids can be used to study dark mater physics. We argue that future cosmological observations of voids should focus on signs of reported features to either confirm or rule out the decaying dark matter scenario. Lack of presence of reported features could put constraints of the decay of dark matter in terms of $\Gamma > H_0^{-1}$ and $v_i<10$ km/s.

Model-independent Constraints on Ultralight Dark Matter from the SPARC Data

Abstract Ultralight dark matter (ULDM) is currently one of the most popular classes of cosmological dark matter. The most important advantage is that ULDM with mass m ∼ 10−22 eV can account for the small-scale problems encountered in the standard cold dark matter model like the core–cusp problem, missing satellite problem, and the too-big-to-fail problem in galaxies. In this paper, we formulate a new simple model-independent analysis using the Spitzer Photometry and Accurate Rotation Curves data to constrain the range of ULDM mass. In particular, the most stringent constraint comes from the data of a galaxy ESO563–G021, which can conservatively exclude a ULDM mass range m = (0.14–3.11) × 10−22 eV. This model-independent excluded range is consistent with many bounds obtained by recent studies and it suggests that the ULDM proposal may not be able to alleviate the small-scale problems.

Scalar field dark matter as an alternative explanation for the anisotropic distribution of satellite galaxies

In recent years, the scalar field dark matter (SFDM), also called ultralight bosonic dark matter, has received considerable attention due to the number of problems it might help to solve. Among these are the cusp-core problem and the abundance of small structures of the standard cold dark matter (CDM) model. In this paper we show that multi-state solutions of the low energy and weak gravitational field limit of field equations, interpreted as galactic halo density profiles, can provide a possible explanation to the anisotropic distribution of satellite galaxies observed in the Milky Way, M31 and Centaurus A, where satellites trajectories seem to concentrate on planes close to the poles of the galaxies instead of following homogeneously distributed trajectories. The core hypothesis is that multi-state solutions of the equations describing the dynamics of this dark matter candidate, namely, the Gross-Pitaevskii-Poisson equations, with monopolar and dipolar contributions, can possibly explain the anisotropy of satellite trajectories. In order to construct a proof of concept, we study the trajectories of a number of test particles traveling on top of the gravitational potential due to a multi-state halo with modes (1,0,0)+(2,1,0). The result is that particles accumulate asymptotically in time on planes passing close to the poles. Satellite galaxies are not test particles but interpreted as such, our results indicate that in the asymptotic time their trajectories do not distribute isotropically, instead they prefer to have orbital poles accumulating near the equatorial plane of the multistate halo. The concentration of orbital poles depends on whether the potential is monopolar or dipolar dominated.

One‐parametric description for scalar field dark matter potentials

AbstractWe study the cosmological evolution for a scalar field dark matter model, by considering a parameterization of the evolution equations that allow us to unify in a single parameter a family of potentials: quadratic (free case), trigonometric (Axion‐like case), and hyperbolic. After exploring the cosmological dynamics of this model, we perform a statistical analysis to study the viability of such model in comparison with the standard Cold Dark Matter model. We found that the free case is preferred over the other scalar field potentials, but in any case all of them are disfavored by the cosmological observations with respect to the standard model.

Creating a galaxy lacking dark matter in a dark matter-dominated universe

ABSTRACT We use hydrodynamical cosmological simulations to show that it is possible to create, via tidal interactions, galaxies lacking dark matter (DM) in a DM-dominated universe. We select dwarf galaxies from the NIHAO project, obtained in the standard cold dark matter model and use them as initial conditions for simulations of satellite–central interactions. After just one pericentric passage on an orbit with a strong radial component, NIHAO dwarf galaxies can lose up to 80 per cent of their DM content, but, most interestingly, their central (≈8 kpc) DM-to-stellar mass ratio changes from a value of ∼25, as expected from numerical simulations and abundance matching techniques, to roughly unity as reported for NGC 1052-DF2 and NGC 1054-DF4. The stellar velocity dispersion drops from ∼30 $\, \rm km\, s^{-1}$ before infall to values as low as 6 ± 2 $\, \rm km\, s^{-1}$. These, and the half-light radius around 3 kpc, are in good agreement with observations from van Dokkum and collaborators. Our study shows that it is possible to create a galaxy without DM starting from typical dwarf galaxies formed in a DM-dominated universe, provided they live in a dense environment.

Constraining the cross-section of dark matter with giant radial arcs in galaxy clusters

ABSTRACT We compare the statistics and morphology of giant arcs in galaxy clusters using N-body and non-radiative SPH simulations within the standard cold dark matter (CDM) model and simulations where dark matter (DM) has a non-negligible probability of interaction (parametrized by its cross-section), i.e self-interacting dark matter (SIDM). We use a ray-tracing technique to produce a statistically large number of arcs around six simulated galaxy clusters at different redshifts. Since DM is more likely to interact in colliding clusters than in relaxed clusters, and this probability of interaction is largest in denser regions, we focus our analysis on radial arcs (which trace the lensing potential in the central region better than tangential arcs) in galaxy clusters that underwent (or are undergoing) a major merger. We find that SIDM produces fewer radial arcs than standard CDM but they are on average more magnified. We also appreciate differences in the arc morphology that could be used to statistically favour one model versus the other.

Quasars as standard candles

We present a new catalogue of ∼2400 optically selected quasars with spectroscopic redshifts and X-ray observations from either Chandra or XMM–Newton. The sample can be used to investigate the non-linear relation between the ultraviolet (UV) and X-ray luminosity of quasars as well as to build a Hubble diagram up to a redshift of z ∼ 7.5. We selected sources that are neither reddened by dust in the optical and UV nor obscured by gas in the X-rays, and whose X-ray fluxes are free from flux-limit-related biases. After checking for any possible systematics, we confirm, in agreement with our previous works, that the X-ray to UV relation provides distance estimates matching those from supernovae up to z ∼ 1.5, and its slope shows no redshift evolution up to z ∼ 5. We provide a full description of the methodology for testing cosmological models, further supporting a trend whereby the Hubble diagram of quasars is well reproduced by the standard flat cold dark matter model up to z ∼ 1.5–2, but strong deviations emerge at higher redshifts. Since we have minimised all non-negligible systematic effects and proven the stability of the LX − LUV relation at high redshifts, we conclude that an evolution of the expansion rate of the Universe should be considered as a possible explanation for the observed deviation, rather than some systematic (redshift-dependent) effect associated with high-redshift quasars.

Statefinder diagnostic for exponential harmonic field

The dynamic study of the harmonic exponential field has been made using the statefinder diagnostic. By the use of a specific method, we find out the statefinder parameters [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] according to the deceleration parameter and the redshift. The numerical analysis of these parameters brings out the transition between the accelerated and decelerated phases of the universe. There is also an attracting effect from the SCDM (Standard Cold Dark Matter) model toward the LCDM model ([Formula: see text]CDM). In view of the results this study allows us to classify the exponential harmonic field among the quintessential models.

Matter perturbation in coupled scalar field cosmology

A universe containing a coupled scalar field would have different dynamical evolution compared to uncoupled cases. Significant differences are expected to emerge during matter dominated era, where scalar field density mimics how matter density evolves, by becoming subdominant. Analysis of the dynamics was investigated both analytically and numerically through phase plane method, and we obtained two attractor solutions which are compatible to a late time cosmic acceleration as the ending of matter dominated era. Ordinary scalar field triggers an acceleration with stable attractor solution which converges to ωϕ = ωeff ≈ −1. Whereas, phantom scalar field allows negative values for its own energy (ωeff ˂ −1 and Ωϕ ˂ 0); however this is not stable, therefore it will be caught by attractor solution which is stable to ωϕ = ωeff ≈ −1. In addition, we found cosmological parameters generated from both analytical and numerical calculations, i.e. ωϕ, Ωϕ and ωeff, by assuming a flat universe. The existence of a coupling constant Q between scalar field and matter induces different structure growth compared to uncoupled cases and standard cold dark matter (CDM) model. During matter dominated era, ordinary scalar field induces growth of structures so that it becomes faster than the standard model does, whereas phantom scalar field slows down the growth of structures. During scalar field dominated era (far in the future), we obtained that formed structures or density contrasts will decay in a similar way as in uncoupled cases, whereas following phantom scenario, the decay of formed structures occurs faster and more significant. This result is associated to background dynamics which shows that big rip will be the relevant fate of our universe.

Predictably missing satellites: subhalo abundances in Milky Way-like haloes

ABSTRACT On small scales there have been a number of claims of discrepancies between the standard cold dark matter (CDM) model and observations. The ‘missing satellites problem’ infamously describes the overabundance of subhaloes from CDM simulations compared to the number of satellites observed in the Milky Way. A variety of solutions to this discrepancy have been proposed; however, the impact of the specific properties of the Milky Way halo relative to the typical halo of its mass has yet to be explored. Motivated by recent studies that identified ways in which the Milky Way is atypical, we investigate how the properties of dark matter haloes with mass comparable to our Galaxy’s – including concentration, spin, shape, and scale factor of the last major merger – correlate with the subhalo abundance. Using zoom-in simulations of Milky Way-like haloes, we build two models of subhalo abundance as functions of host halo properties. From these models we conclude that the Milky Way most likely has fewer subhaloes than the average halo of the same mass. We expect up to 30 per cent fewer subhaloes with low maximum rotation velocities ($V_{\rm max}^{\rm sat} \sim 10$ km s−1) at the 68 per cent confidence level and up to 52 per cent fewer than average subhaloes with high rotation velocities ($V_{\rm max}^{\rm sat} \gtrsim 30$ km s−1, comparable to the Magellanic Clouds) than would be expected for a typical halo of the Milky Way’s mass. Concentration is the most informative single parameter for predicting subhalo abundance. Our results imply that models tuned to explain the missing satellites problem assuming typical subhalo abundances for our Galaxy may be overcorrecting.