Search for Dark Matter Annihilation Signals in the Galactic Center Halo with VERITAS

James L Ryan

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arXiv · 2309.12403

Search for Dark Matter Annihilation Signals in the Galactic Center Halo with VERITAS

James L Ryan

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Abstract

Gamma-ray observations of the Galactic Center (GC) region provide some of the most sensitive measurements of annihilation signals from dark matter in the GeV-TeV mass range. We present the first results from 178 hours of VERITAS observations of a 2 degree region around the GC, taken between 2010 and 2022. The analysis uses a newly-developed template-based background method, as well as analysis techniques optimized for observations taken at large zenith angles. No significant excess is found in any region of interest considered. We derive model-independent limits on the dark matter thermally-averaged annihilation cross section which are among the strongest from any indirect detection experiment for TeV-scale masses.

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James L Ryan. 2023-09-21. Search for Dark Matter Annihilation Signals in the Galactic Center Halo with VERITAS. https://arxiv.org/abs/2309.12403

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