arXiv subjects

Gabrijela Zaharijas

Publications and source records attributed to Gabrijela Zaharijas.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2016

Searches for correlation between UHECR events and high-energy gamma-ray Fermi-LAT data

The astrophysical sources responsible for ultra high-energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) continue to be one of the most intriguing mysteries in astrophysics. We present a comprehensive search for correlations between high-energy ($\gtrapprox 1$ GeV) gamma-ray events from the Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) and UHECRs ($\gtrapprox 60$ EeV) detected by the Telescope Array and the Pierre Auger Observatory. We perform two separate searches. First, we conduct a standard cross-correlation analysis between the arrival directions of 148 UHECRs and 360 gamma-ray sources in the Second Catalog of Hard Fermi-LAT sources (2FHL). Second, we search for a possible correlation between UHECR directions and unresolved Fermi-LAT gamma-ray emission. For the latter, we use three different methods: a stacking technique with both a model-dependent and model-independent background estimate, and a cross-correlation function analysis. We also test for statistically significant excesses in gamma rays from signal regions centered on Cen A and the Telescope Array hotspot. No significant correlation is found in any of the analyses performed, except a weak ($\lessapprox 2σ$) hint of signal with the correlation function method on scales $\sim 1^\circ$. Upper limits on the flux of possible power-law gamma-ray sources of UHECRs are derived.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2016

Estimating the GeV Emission of Millisecond Pulsars in Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxies

We estimate the conventional astrophysical emission from dwarf spheroidal satellite galaxies (dSphs) of the Milky Way, focusing on millisecond pulsars (MSPs), and evaluate the potential for confusion with dark matter (DM) annihilation signatures at GeV energies. In low-density stellar environments, such as dSphs, the abundance of MSPs is expected to be proportional to stellar mass. Accordingly, we construct the $γ$-ray luminosity function of MSPs in the Milky Way disk, where $>90$ individual MSPs have been detected with the $\textit{Fermi}$ Large Area Telescope (LAT), and scale this luminosity function to the stellar masses of 30 dSphs to estimate the cumulative emission from their MSP populations. We predict that MSPs within the highest stellar mass dSphs, Fornax and Sculptor, produce a $γ$-ray flux $>500$~MeV of $\sim10^{-11}$~ph~cm$^{-2}$~s$^{-1}$, which is a factor $\sim10$ below the current LAT sensitivity at high Galactic latitudes. The MSP emission in ultra-faint dSphs, including targets with the largest J-factors, is typically several orders of magnitude lower, suggesting that these targets will remain clean targets for indirect DM searches in the foreseeable future. For a DM particle of mass 25~GeV annihilating to $b$ quarks at the thermal relic cross section (consistent with DM interpretations of the Galactic Center excess), we find that the expected $γ$-ray emission due to DM exceeds that of MSPs in all of the target dSphs. Using the same Milky Way MSP population model, we also estimate the Galactic foreground MSP coincidence probability along the same sightlines to the dSphs.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2016

Sensitivity Projections for Dark Matter Searches with the Fermi Large Area Telescope

The nature of dark matter is a longstanding enigma of physics; it may consist of particles beyond the Standard Model that are still elusive to experiments. Among indirect search techniques, which look for stable products from the annihilation or decay of dark matter particles, or from axions coupling to high-energy photons, observations of the $γ$-ray sky have come to prominence over the last few years, because of the excellent sensitivity of the Large Area Telescope (LAT) on the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope mission. The LAT energy range from 20 MeV to above 300 GeV is particularly well suited for searching for products of the interactions of dark matter particles. In this report we describe methods used to search for evidence of dark matter with the LAT, and review the status of searches performed with up to six years of LAT data. We also discuss the factors that determine the sensitivities of these searches, including the magnitudes of the signals and the relevant backgrounds, considering both statistical and systematic uncertainties. We project the expected sensitivities of each search method for 10 and 15 years of LAT data taking. In particular, we find that the sensitivity of searches targeting dwarf galaxies, which provide the best limits currently, will improve faster than the square root of observing time. Current LAT limits for dwarf galaxies using six years of data reach the thermal relic level for masses up to 120 GeV for the $b\bar{b}$ annihilation channel for reasonable dark matter density profiles. With projected discoveries of additional dwarfs, these limits could extend to about 250 GeV. With as much as 15 years of LAT data these searches would be sensitive to dark matter annihilations at the thermal relic cross section for masses to greater than 400 GeV (200 GeV) in the $b\bar{b}$ ($τ^+ τ^-$) annihilation channels.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2015

Millisecond pulsars and the Galactic Center gamma-ray excess: the importance of luminosity function and secondary emission

Several groups of authors have analyzed Fermi LAT data in a region around the Galactic Center finding an unaccounted gamma-ray excess over diffuse backgrounds in the GeV energy range. It has been argued that it is difficult or even impossible to explain this diffuse emission by the leading astrophysical candidates - millisecond pulsars (MSPs). Here we provide a new estimate of the contribution to the excess by a population of yet unresolved MSP located in the bulge of the Milky Way. We simulate this population with the GALPLOT package by adopting a parametric approach, with the range of free parameters gauged on the MSP characteristics reported by the second pulsar catalogue (2PC). We find that the conclusions strongly depend on the details of the MSP luminosity function (in particular, its high luminosity end) and other explicit or tacit assumptions on the MSP statistical properties, which we discuss. Notably, for the first time we study the importance of the possible secondary emission of the MSPs in the Galactic Center, {i.e. the emission via inverse Compton losses of electrons injected in the interstellar medium. Differently from a majority of other authors, we find that within current uncertainties a large if not dominant contribution of MSPs to the excess cannot be excluded. We also show that the sensitivities of future instruments or possibly already of the latest LAT data analysis (Pass 8) provide good perspectives to test this scenario by resolving a significant number of MSPs.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2015

Galactic Center gamma-ray "excess" from an active past of the Galactic Centre?

Several groups have recently claimed evidence for an unaccounted gamma-ray excess over {the} diffuse backgrounds at few GeV in {the} Fermi-LAT data in a region around the Galactic Center, consistent with a dark matter annihilation origin. We demonstrate that the main spectral and angular features of this excess can be reproduced if they are mostly due to inverse Compton emission from high-energy electrons injected in a burst event of ~10^52 - 10^53erg roughly O(10^6) years ago. We consider this example as a proof of principle that time-dependent phenomena need to be understood and accounted for - together with detailed diffuse foregrounds and unaccounted "steady state" astrophysical sources - before any robust inference can be made about dark matter signals at the Galactic Center. In addition, we point out that the timescale suggested by our study, which controls both the energy cutoff and the angular extension of the signal, intriguingly matches (together with the energy budget) what is indirectly inferred by other evidences suggesting a very active Galactic Center in the past, for instance related to intense star formation and accretion phenomena.

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arXiv2014

Extragalactic gamma-ray signal from dark matter annihilation: an appraisal

We re-evaluate the extragalactic gamma-ray flux prediction from dark matter annihilation in the approach of integrating over the nonlinear matter power spectrum, extrapolated to the free-streaming scale. We provide an estimate of the uncertainty based entirely on available N-body simulation results and minimal theoretical assumptions. We illustrate how an improvement in the simulation resolution, exemplified by the comparison between the Millennium and Millennium II simulations, affects our estimate of the flux uncertainty and we provide a "best guess" value for the flux multiplier, based on the assumption of stable clustering for the dark matter perturbations described as a collision-less fluid. We achieve results comparable to traditional Halo Model calculations, but with a much simpler procedure and a more general approach, as it relies only on one, directly measurable quantity. In addition we discuss the extension of our calculation to include baryonic effects as modeled in hydrodynamical cosmological simulations and other possible sources of uncertainty that would in turn affect indirect dark matter signals. Upper limit on the integrated power spectrum from supernovae lensing magnification are also derived and compared with theoretical expectations.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2013

Bremsstrahlung gamma rays from light Dark Matter

We discuss the often-neglected role of bremsstrahlung processes on the interstellar gas in computing indirect signatures of Dark Matter (DM) annihilation in the Galaxy, particularly for light DM candidates in the phenomenologically interesting O(10) GeV mass range. Especially from directions close to the Galactic Plane, the expected gamma-ray spectrum is altered via two effects: directly, by the photons emitted in the bremsstrahlung process on the interstellar gas by energetic electrons which are among the DM annihilation byproducts; indirectly, by the modification of the same electron spectrum, due to the additional energy loss process in the diffusion-loss equation (e.g. the resulting inverse Compton emission is altered). We quantify the importance of the bremsstrahlung emission in the GeV energy range, showing that it is the dominant component of the gamma-ray spectrum for some cases. We also find that, in regions in which bremsstrahlung dominates energy losses, the related gamma-ray emission is only moderately sensitive to possible large variations in the gas density. Still, we stress that, for computing precise spectra in the (sub-)GeV range, it is important to obtain a reliable description of the inner Galaxy gas distribution as well as to compute self-consistently the gamma emission and the solution to the diffusion-loss equation. For example, these are crucial issues to quantify and interpret meaningfully gamma-ray map `residuals' in terms of (light) DM annihilations.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2012

Asymmetric WIMP Dark Matter in the presence of DM/anti-DM Oscillations

The class of `Asymmetric Dark Matter' scenarios relies on the existence of a primordial particle/anti-particle asymmetry in the dark sector related to the baryon asymmetry as a way to address the observed similarity between the baryonic and dark matter energy densities today. Focusing on this framework we calculate the evolution of the dark matter relic abundance in the presence of particle/anti-particle oscillations. We show how oscillations re-open the parameter space of asymmetric dark matter models, in particular in the direction of allowing large (WIMP-scale) DM masses. Finally, we constrain the parameter space in this framework by applying up-to-date bounds from indirect detection signals on annihilating DM.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2012

Fermi-LAT measurement of the diffuse gamma-ray emission and constraints on the Galactic Dark Matter signal

We study diffuse gamma-ray emission at intermediate Galactic latitudes measured by the Fermi Large Area Telescope with the aim of searching for a signal from dark matter annihilation or decay. In the absence of a robust dark matter signal, we set conservative dark matter limits requiring that the dark matter signal does not exceed the observed diffuse gamma-ray emission. A second set of more stringent limits is derived based on modeling the foreground astrophysical diffuse emission. Uncertainties in the height of the diffusive cosmic-ray halo, the distribution of the cosmic-ray sources in the Galaxy, the cosmic-ray electron index of the injection spectrum and the column density of the interstellar gas are taken into account using a profile likelihood formalism, while the parameters governing the cosmic-ray propagation have been derived from fits to local cosmic-ray data. The resulting limits impact the range of particle masses over which dark matter thermal production in the early Universe is possible, and challenge the interpretation of the PAMELA/Fermi-LAT cosmic ray anomalies as annihilation of dark matter.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2012

Study of the Gamma-ray Spectrum from the Galactic Center in view of Multi-TeV Dark Matter Candidates

Motivated by the complex gamma-ray spectrum of the Galactic Center source now measured over five decades in energy, we revisit the issue of the role of dark matter annihilations in this interesting region. We reassess whether the emission measured by the HESS collaboration could be a signature of dark matter annihilation, and we use the {\em Fermi} LAT spectrum to model the emission from SgrA*, using power-law spectral fits. We find that good fits are achieved by a power law with an index $\sim 2.5-2.6$, in combination with a spectrum similar to the one observed from pulsar population and with a spectrum from a $\gsi10$ TeV DM annihilating to a mixture of $b{\bar b}$ and harder $τ^+ τ^-$ channels and with boost factors of the order of a hundred. Alternatively, we also consider the combination of a log-parabola fit with the DM contribution. Finally, as both the spectrum of gamma rays from the Galactic Center and the spectrum of cosmic ray electrons exhibit a cutoff at TeV energies, we study the dark matter fits to both data-sets. Constraining the spectral shape of the purported dark matter signal provides a robust way of comparing data. We find a marginal overlap only between the 99.999% C.L. regions in parameter space.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2012

Complementarity of Galactic radio and collider data in constraining WIMP dark matter models

In this work we confront dark matter models to constraints that may be derived from radio synchrotron radiation from the Galaxy, taking into account the astrophysical uncertainties and we compare these to bounds set by accelerator and complementary indirect dark matter searches. Specifically we apply our analysis to three popular particle physics models. First, a generic effective operator approach, in which case we set bounds on the corresponding mass scale, and then, two specific UV completions, the Z' and Higgs portals. We show that for many candidates, the radio synchrotron limits are competitive with the other searches, and could even give the strongest constraints (as of today) with some reasonable assumptions regarding the astrophysical uncertainties.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2012

Extragalactic gamma-ray signal from Dark Matter annihilation: a power spectrum based computation

We revisit the computation of the extragalactic gamma-ray signal from cosmological dark matter annihilations. The prediction of this signal is notoriously model dependent, due to different descriptions of the clumpiness of the dark matter distribution at small scales, responsible for an enhancement with respect to the smoothly distributed case. We show how a direct computation of this "flux multiplier" in terms of the nonlinear power spectrum offers a conceptually simpler approach and may ease some problems, such as the extrapolation issue. In fact very simple analytical recipes to construct the power spectrum yield results similar to the popular Halo Model expectations, with a straightforward alternative estimate of errors. For this specific application, one also obviates to the need of identifying (often literature-dependent) concepts entering the Halo Model, to compare different simulations.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2012

Consequences of DM/antiDM Oscillations for Asymmetric WIMP Dark Matter

Assuming the existence of a primordial asymmetry in the dark sector, a scenario usually dubbed Asymmetric Dark Matter (aDM), we study the effect of oscillations between dark matter and its antiparticle on the re-equilibration of the initial asymmetry before freeze-out, which enable efficient annihilations to recouple. We calculate the evolution of the DM relic abundance and show how oscillations re-open the parameter space of aDM models, in particular in the direction of allowing large (WIMP-scale) DM masses. A typical wimp with a mass at the EW scale (\sim 100 GeV - 1 TeV) presenting a primordial asymmetry of the same order as the baryon asymmetry naturally gets the correct relic abundance if the DM-number-violating Delta(DM) = 2 mass term is in the \sim meV range. The re-establishment of annihilations implies that constraints from the accumulation of aDM in astrophysical bodies are evaded. On the other hand, the ordinary bounds from BBN, CMB and indirect detection signals on annihilating DM have to be considered.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2010

Constraints on the Galactic Halo Dark Matter from Fermi-LAT Diffuse Measurements

The diffuse gamma ray emission from astrophysical backgrounds in our Galaxy and the signal due to the annihilation or decay of Dark Matter (DM) in the Galactic Halo are expected to have a substantially different morphology and spectral signatures. In order to exploit this feature we perform a full sky and spectral binned likelihood fit of both components, using data collected during the first 21 months of operation of the Fermi-LAT observatory. Preliminary constraints are presented on the DM annihilation cross section and decaying rate for various masses and annihilation/decay modes.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2009

Dark matter interpretation of recent electron and positron data

We analyze the recently released Fermi-LAT data on the sum of electrons and positrons. Compared to a conventional, pre-Fermi, background model, a surprising excess in the several hundred GeV range is found and here we analyze it in terms of dark matter models. We also compare with newly published results from PAMELA and HESS, and find models giving very good fits to these data sets as well. If this dark matter interpretation is correct, we also predict the possibility of a sharp break in the diffuse gamma ray spectrum coming from final state radiation.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2009

WIMPonium

We explore the possibility that weakly interacting dark matter can form bound states - WIMPonium. Such states are expected in a wide class of models of particle dark matter, including some limits of the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model. We examine the conditions under which we expect bound states to occur, and use analogues of NRQCD applied to heavy quarkonia to provide estimates for their properties, including couplings to the Standard Model. We further find that it may be possible to produce WIMPonium at the LHC, and explore the properties of the WIMP that can be inferred from measurements of the WIMPonium states.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2008

Optimal angular window for observing Dark Matter annihilation from the Galactic Center region: the case of gamma-ray lines

Although the emission of radiation from dark matter annihilation is expected to be maximized at the Galactic Center, geometric factors and the presence of point-like and diffuse backgrounds make the choice of the angular window size to optimize the chance of a signal detection a non-trivial problem. Contrarily to what is often assumed, we find that the best strategy is to focus on a window size around the Galactic Center of ~ 1 deg to >~ 30 deg, where the optimal size depends on the angular distribution of the signal and the backgrounds. Although our conclusions are general, we illustrate this point in the particular case of annihilation into two monochromatic photons in the phenomenologically most interesting range of energy 45 GeV < E < 80 GeV, which is of great interest for the GLAST satellite. We find for example that Dark Matter models with sufficiently strong line annihilation signals, like the Inert Doublet Model, may be detectable without or with very moderate boost factors.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2008

Implications of Intermediate Mass Black Hole in globular cluster G1 on Dark Matter detection

Recently there has been a growing evidence in favor of the presence of an Intermediate Mass Black Hole in the globular cluster G1, in Andromeda Galaxy. In this paper, we explore whether the adiabatic growth in the dark matter density due to the presence of a black hole could result in an observable gamma ray signal due to dark matter annihilation in this globular cluster. Starting from an initial NFW matter profile, with density parameters consistent with G1 observations, we find that indeed, if the spike in the density has been formed and has survived till present, the signal could be observed by GLAST and current ACT detectors.

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