E. Kovetz | Searcharxiv

arXiv2026

FOSSIL: A future mission for CMB spectral distortion measurements

We present FOSSIL, a proposed space mission which is designed to deliver unprecedented absolute spectroscopic measurements of the sky intensity over a broad frequency range (50GHz to 2THz) to accurately measure chemical-potential mu-type, Compton y-type, and Compton relativistic y-type CMB spectral distortions. FOSSIL will reach monopole sensitivities representing a gain of roughly three orders of magnitude over COBE/FIRAS. These capabilities will allow us to constrain primordial density fluctuations on scales k~(10 to 10^4)Mpc^-1, test inflationary models, probe dark matter annihilation/decay/interactions, constrain primordial black hole seed scenarios, and pin down feedback models in galaxy evolution and structure formation by measuring the cosmic thermal energy content. Furthermore, its 130 spectral channels will enable legacy astrophysics, including precise characterisation of the Cosmic Infrared Background, line intensity mapping during cosmic noon, and detailed Galactic dust mapping.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2019

Electromagnetic probes of primordial black holes as dark matter

The LIGO discoveries have rekindled suggestions that primordial black holes (BHs) may constitute part to all of the dark matter (DM) in the Universe. Such suggestions came from 1) the observed merger rate of the BHs, 2) their unusual masses, 3) their low/zero spins, and 4) also from the independently uncovered cosmic infrared background (CIB) fluctuations signal of high amplitude and coherence with unresolved cosmic X-ray background (CXB). Here we summarize the prospects to resolve this important issue with electromagnetic observations using the instruments and tools expected in the 2020's. These prospects appear promising to make significant, and potentially critical, advances. We demonstrate that in the next decade, new space- and ground-borne electromagnetic instruments, combined with concurrent theoretical efforts, should shed critical light on the long-considered link between primordial BHs and DM. Specifically the new data and methodologies under this program will involve: I) Probing with high precision the spatial spectrum of source-subtracted CIB with Euclid and WFIRST, and its coherence with unresolved cosmic X-ray background using eROSITA and Athena, II) Advanced searches for microlensing of Galactic stars by the intervening Galactic Halo BHs with OGLE, Gaia, LSST and WFIRST, III) Supernovae (SNe) lensing in the upcoming surveys with WFIRST, LSST and also potentially with Euclid and JWST, IV) Advanced theoretical work to understand the details of PBH accretion and evolution and their influence on cosmic microwave background (CMB) anisotropies in light of the next generation CMB experiments, V) Better new samples and theoretical understanding involving stability and properties of ultra faint dwarf galaxies, pulsar timing, and cosmological quasar lensing.

astro-ph.CO↗