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arXiv · 1906.11845

Extreme Dark Matter Tests with Extreme Mass Ratio Inspirals

Otto A. Hannuksela·Kenny C. Y. Ng·Tjonnie G. F. Li
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Abstract

Future space-based laser interferometry experiments such as LISA are expected to detect $\cal O$(100--1000) stellar-mass compact objects (e.g., black holes, neutron stars) falling into massive black holes in the centers of galaxies, the so-called extreme-mass-ratio inspirals (EMRIs). If dark matter forms a "spike" due to the growth of the massive black hole, it will induce a gravitational drag on the inspiraling object, changing its orbit and gravitational-wave signal. We show that detection of even a single dark matter spike from the EMRIs will severely constrain several popular dark matter candidates, such as ultralight bosons, keV fermions, MeV--TeV self-annihilating dark matter, and sub-solar mass primordial black holes, as these candidates would flatten the spikes through various mechanisms. Future space gravitational wave experiments could thus have a significant impact on the particle identification of dark matter.

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Otto A. Hannuksela, Kenny C. Y. Ng, Tjonnie G. F. Li. 2019-06-27. Extreme Dark Matter Tests with Extreme Mass Ratio Inspirals. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevd.102.103022

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