arXiv subjects
Publications and source records attributed to Hai-Bo Yu.
We summarize progress made in theoretical astrophysics and cosmology over the past decade and areas of interest for the coming decade. This Report is prepared as the TF09 "Astrophysics and Cosmology" topical group summary for the Theory Frontier as part of the Snowmass 2021 process.
Theoretical investigations into the evolution of the early universe are an essential part of particle physics that allow us to identify viable extensions to the Standard Model as well as motivated parameter space that can be probed by various experiments and observations. In this white paper, we review particle physics models of the early universe. First, we outline various models that explain two essential ingredients of the early universe (dark matter and baryon asymmetry) and those that seek to address current observational anomalies. We then discuss dynamics of the early universe in models of neutrino masses, axions, and several solutions to the electroweak hierarchy problem. Finally, we review solutions to naturalness problems of the Standard Model that employ cosmological dynamics.
We analyze circular velocity profiles of seven ultradiffuse galaxies (UDGs) that are isolated and gas-rich. Assuming that the dark matter halos of these UDGs have a Navarro-Frenk-White (NFW) density profile or a Read density profile (which allows for constant-density cores), the inferred halo concentrations are systematically lower than the cosmological median, even as low as $-0.6$ dex (about $5σ$ away) in some cases. Alternatively, similar fits can be obtained with a density profile that scales roughly as $1/r^2$ for radii larger than a few kiloparsecs. Both solutions require the radius where the halo circular velocity peaks ($R_{\rm max}$) to be much larger than the median expectation. Surprisingly, we find an overabundance of such large-$R_{\rm max}$ halos in the IllustrisTNG dark-matter-only simulations compared to the Gaussian expectation. These halos form late and have higher spins compared to median halos of similar masses. The inner densities of the most extreme among these late-forming halos are higher than their NFW counterparts, leading to a $\sim 1/r^2$ density profile. However, the two well-resolved UDGs in our sample strongly prefer lower dark matter densities in the center than the simulated ones. Comparing to IllustrisTNG hydrodynamical simulations, we also find a tension in getting both low enough circular velocities and high enough halo mass to accommodate the measurements. Our results indicate that the gas-rich UDGs present a significant challenge for galaxy formation models.
Dark matter annihilation might power the first luminous stars in the Universe. These types of stars, known as dark stars, could form in $(10^6\mathrm{-}10^8)\,M_\odot$ protohalos at redshifts $z \sim 20$, and they could be much more luminous and larger in size than ordinary stars powered by nuclear fusion. We investigate the formation of dark stars in the self-interacting dark matter (SIDM) scenario. We present a concrete particle physics model of SIDM that can simultaneously give rise to the observed dark matter density, satisfy constraints from astrophysical and terrestrial searches, and address the various small-scale problems of collisionless dark matter via the self-interactions. In this model, the power from dark matter annihilation is deposited in the baryonic gas in environments where dark stars could form. We further study the evolution of SIDM density profiles in the protohalos at $z \sim 20$. As the baryon cloud collapses due to the various cooling processes, the deepening gravitational potential can speed up gravothermal evolution of the SIDM halo, yielding sufficiently high dark matter densities for dark stars to form. We find that SIDM-powered dark stars can have similar properties, such as their luminosity and size, as dark stars predicted in collisionless dark matter models.
We study gravothermal evolution of dark matter halos in the presence of differential self-scattering that has strong velocity and angular dependencies. We design controlled N-body simulations to model Rutherford and Moller scatterings in the halo, and follow its evolution in both core-expansion and -collapse phases. The simulations show the commonly-used transfer cross section underestimates the effects of dark matter self-interactions, but the viscosity cross section provides an accurate approximation for modeling angular-dependent dark matter scattering. We investigate thermodynamic properties of the halo, and find that the three moments of the Boltzmann equation under the fluid approximation are satisfied. We further propose a constant effective cross section, which integrates over the halo's characteristic velocity dispersion with weighting kernels motivated by kinetic theory of heat conduction. The effective cross section provides a good approximation to differential self-scattering for most of the halo evolution. It indicates that we can map astrophysical constraints on a constant self-interacting cross section to an SIDM model with velocity- and angular-dependent scatterings.
A self-interacting dark matter halo can experience gravothermal collapse, resulting in a central core with an ultrahigh density. It can further contract and collapse into a black hole, a mechanism proposed to explain the origin of supermassive black holes. We study dynamical instability of the core in general relativity. We use a truncated Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution to model the dark matter distribution and solve the Tolman-Oppenheimer-Volkoff equation. For given model parameters, we obtain a series of equilibrium configurations and examine their dynamical instability based on considerations of total energy, binding energy, fractional binding energy, and adiabatic index. Our numerical results indicate that the core can collapse into a black hole when the fractional binding energy reaches $0.035$ with a central gravitational redshift of $0.5$. We further show for the instability to occur in the classical regime, the boundary temperature of the core should be at least $10\%$ of the mass of dark matter particles; for a $10^9~{\rm M_\odot}$ seed black hole, the particle mass needs to be larger than a few keV. These results can be used to constrain different collapse models, in particular, those with dissipative dark matter interactions.
Establishing that Vera C. Rubin Observatory is a flagship dark matter experiment is an essential pathway toward understanding the physical nature of dark matter. In the past two decades, wide-field astronomical surveys and terrestrial laboratories have jointly created a phase transition in the ecosystem of dark matter models and probes. Going forward, any robust understanding of dark matter requires astronomical observations, which still provide the only empirical evidence for dark matter to date. We have a unique opportunity right now to create a dark matter experiment with Rubin Observatory Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST). This experiment will be a coordinated effort to perform dark matter research, and provide a large collaborative team of scientists with the necessary organizational and funding supports. This approach leverages existing investments in Rubin. Studies of dark matter with Rubin LSST will also guide the design of, and confirm the results from, other dark matter experiments. Supporting a collaborative team to carry out a dark matter experiment with Rubin LSST is the key to achieving the dark matter science goals that have already been identified as high priority by the high-energy physics and astronomy communities.
Recently, Meneghetti et al. reported an excess of small-scale gravitational lenses in galaxy clusters. We study its implications for self-interacting dark matter (SIDM), compared with standard cold dark matter (CDM). We design controlled N-body simulations that incorporate observational constraints. The presence of early-type galaxies in cluster substructures can deepen gravitational potential and reduce tidal mass loss. Both scenarios require a relatively high baryon concentration in the substructure to accommodate the lensing measurements, and their tangential caustics are similar. The SIDM substructure can experience gravothermal collapse and produce a steeper density profile than its CDM counterpart, leading to a larger radial galaxy-galaxy strong lensing cross section, although this effect is hard to observe. Our results indicate SIDM can provide a unified explanation to small-scale lenses in galaxy clusters and stellar motions in dwarf galaxies.
Self-interacting dark matter (SIDM) naturally gives rise to a cored isothermal density profile, which is favored in observations of many dwarf galaxies. The dark matter distribution in the presence of a central black hole in an isothermal halo develops a density spike with a power law of $r^{-7/4}$, which is shallower than $r^{-7/3}$ as expected for collisionless dark matter (CDM). Thus, indirect detection constraints on dark matter annihilations from the density spike could be relaxed in SIDM. Taking the most dense satellite galaxy of the Milky Way Draco as an example, we derive upper limits on the annihilation cross section and the black hole mass for both SIDM and CDM halos. For the former case, Draco could host an intermediate mass black hole even if dark matter is composed of thermal relics. We further explore the constraints from the Milky Way and M87, which host supermassive black holes, and show the upper limits on the annihilation cross section are significantly weakened in SIDM. Our results also indicate that the Event Horizon Telescope could provide a unique test of SIDM spikes.
Self-interacting Dark Matter (SIDM) is a leading candidate proposed to solve discrepancies between predictions of the prevailing cold dark matter theory and observations of galaxies. Many SIDM models predict the existence of a light force carrier that mediate strong dark matter self-interactions. If the mediator couples to the standard model particles, it could produce characteristic signals in dark matter direct detection experiments. We report searches for SIDM models with a light mediator using the full dataset of the PandaX-II experiment, based on a total exposure of 132 tonne-days. No significant excess over background is found, and our likelihood analysis leads to a strong upper limit on the dark matter-nucleon coupling strength. We further combine the PandaX-II constraints and those from observations of the light element abundances in the early universe, and show that direct detection and cosmological probes can provide complementary constraints on dark matter models with a light mediator.
Dark matter can capture in neutron stars from scattering off ultra-relativistic electrons. We present a method to calculate the capture rate on degenerate targets with ultra-relativistic momenta in a compact astronomical object. Our treatment accounts for the target momentum and the Fermi degeneracy of the system. We derive scaling relations for scattering with relativistic targets and confirm consistency with the non-relativistic limit and Lorentz invariance. The potential observation of kinetic heating of neutron stars has a larger discovery reach for dark matter-lepton interactions than conventional terrestrial direct detection experiments. We map this reach onto a set of bosonic and fermionic effective contact interactions between dark matter and leptons as well as nucleons. We show the results for the contact operators up to dimension 6 for spin-0 and spin-1/2 dark matter interactions with relativistic as well as non-relativistic Standard Model fermions. Highlights of this program in the case of vector mediated interactions are presented in a companion letter [1]. Our method is generalizable to dark matter scattering in any degenerate medium where the Pauli exclusion principle leads to relativistic targets with a constrained phase space for scattering.
Dark matter can capture in neutron stars and heat them to observable luminosities. We study relativistic scattering of dark matter on highly degenerate electrons. We develop a Lorentz invariant formalism to calculate the capture probability of dark matter that accounts for the relativistic motion of the target particles and Pauli exclusion principle. We find that the actual capture probability can be five orders of magnitude larger than the one estimated using a nonrelativistic approach. For dark matter masses $10~{\rm eV}\textup{--}10~{\rm PeV}$, neutron star heating complements and can be more sensitive than terrestrial direct detection searches. The projected sensitivity regions exhibit characteristic features that demonstrate a rich interplay between kinematics and Pauli blocking of the DM--electron system. Our results show that old neutron stars could be the most promising target for discovering leptophilic dark matter.
Observations of ultra-diffuse galaxies NGC 1052-DF2 and -DF4 show they may contain little dark matter, challenging our understanding of galaxy formation. Using controlled N-body simulations, we explore the possibility that their properties can be reproduced through tidal stripping from the elliptical galaxy NGC 1052, in both cold dark matter (CDM) and self-interacting dark matter (SIDM) scenarios. To explain the dark matter deficiency, we find that a CDM halo must have a very low concentration so that it can lose sufficient inner mass in the tidal field. In contrast, SIDM favors a higher and more reasonable concentration as core formation enhances tidal mass loss. Final stellar distributions in our SIDM benchmarks are more diffuse than the CDM one, and hence the former are in better agreement with the data. We further show that a cored CDM halo model modified by strong baryonic feedback is unlikely to reproduce the observations. Our results indicate that SIDM is more favorable for the formation of dark-matter-deficient galaxies.
We perform a series of controlled N-body simulations to study realizations of the recently discovered Antlia 2 galaxy in cold dark matter (CDM) and self-interacting dark matter (SIDM) scenarios. Our simulations contain six benchmark models, where we vary the initial halo concentration and the self-scattering cross section. We adopt well-motivated initial stellar and halo masses, and our fiducial orbit has a small pericenter. After evolving in the Milky Way's tidal field, the simulated galaxies experience significant mass loss and their stellar distributions expand accordingly. These tidal effects are more prominent if the initial halo concentration is lower and if the self-scattering cross section is larger. Our results show that Antlia 2-like galaxies could be realized in CDM if the halo concentration is low and the stellar distribution is diffuse at the infall time, while these conditions could be relaxed in SIDM. We also find all the simulated galaxies predict approximately the same stellar velocity dispersion after imposing selection criteria for stellar particles. This has important implications for testing dark matter models using tidally disturbed systems.
We study evolution of self-interacting dark matter (SIDM) subhalos in the Milky Way (MW) tidal field. The interaction between the subhalos and the MW's tides lead to more diverse dark matter distribution in the inner region, compared to their cold dark matter counterparts. We test this scenario with two MW satellite galaxies, Draco and Fornax, opposite extremes in the inner dark matter content, and find that they can be accommodated within the SIDM model proposed to explain the diverse rotation curves of spiral galaxies in the field.
Dissipative dark matter self-interactions can affect halo evolution and change its structure. We perform a series of controlled N-body simulations to study impacts of the dissipative interactions on halo properties. The interplay between gravitational contraction and collisional dissipation can significantly speed up the onset of gravothermal collapse, resulting in a steep inner density profile. For reasonable choices of model parameters controlling the dissipation, the collapse timescale can be a factor of 10-100 shorter than that predicted in purely elastic self-interacting dark matter. The effect is maximized when energy loss per collision is comparable to characteristic kinetic energy of dark matter particles in the halo. Our simulations provide guidance for testing the dissipative nature of dark matter with astrophysical observations.
We consider an inelastic dark matter model, where a fermion is charged under a broken U(1) gauge symmetry, and introduce a tiny Majorana mass term to split the fermion into two states with the light one being a dark matter candidate. If the gauge boson is light, it can mediate both elastic and inelastic dark matter self-interactions in dark halos, leading to observational consequences. Using a numerical technique based on partial wave analysis, we accurately calculate the elastic and inelastic self-scattering cross sections. We assume a thermal freeze-out scenario and fix the gauge coupling constant using the relic density constraint. Then, we focus on six benchmark masses of dark matter, covering a wide range from $10~{\rm MeV}$ to $160~{\rm GeV}$ and map parameter regions where the elastic scattering cross section per unit mass is within $1~{\rm cm^2/g} - 5~{\rm cm^2/g}$, favored to solve small-scale issues of cold dark matter. If the heavy state can decay to the light state and a massless species, the inelastic up-scattering process can cool the halo and lead to core collapse. Taking galaxies with evidence of dark matter density cores, we further derive constraints on the parameter space. For dark matter masses below $10~{\rm GeV}$, the mass splitting must be large enough to forbid up scattering in the dwarf halo for evading the core-collapse constraint; while for higher masses, the up-scattering process can still be allowed. Our results show astrophysical observations can provide powerful tests for dark matter models with large elastic and inelastic self-interactions.
We compare proposed solutions to the core vs cusp issue of spiral galaxies, which has also been framed as a diversity problem, and demonstrate that the cuspiness of dark matter halos is correlated with the stellar surface brightness. We compare the rotation curve fits to the SPARC sample from a self-interacting dark matter (SIDM) model, which self-consistently includes the impact of baryons on the halo profile, and hydrodynamical N-body simulations with cold dark matter (CDM). The SIDM model predicts a strong correlation between the core size and the stellar surface density, and it provides the best global fit to the data. The CDM simulations without strong baryonic feedback effects fail to explain the large dark matter cores seen in low surface brightness galaxies. On the other hand, with strong feedback, CDM simulations do not produce galaxy analogs with high stellar and dark matter densities, and therefore they have trouble in explaining the rotation curves of high surface brightness galaxies. This implies that current feedback implementations need to be modified. We also explicitly show how the concentration-mass and stellar-to-halo mass relations together lead to a radial acceleration relation (RAR) in an averaged sense, and reiterate the point that the RAR does not capture the diversity of galaxy rotation curves in the inner regions. These results make a strong case for SIDM as the explanation for the cores and cusps of field galaxies.