arXiv subjects

Paolo Gondolo

Publications and source records attributed to Paolo Gondolo.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

arXiv2004

Markov Chain Monte Carlo Exploration of Minimal Supergravity with Implications for Dark Matter

We explore the full parameter space of Minimal Supergravity (mSUGRA), allowing all four continuous parameters (the scalar mass m_0, the gaugino mass m_1/2, the trilinear coupling A_0, and the ratio of Higgs vacuum expectation values tan beta) to vary freely. We apply current accelerator constraints on sparticle and Higgs masses, and on the b -> s gamma branching ratio, and discuss the impact of the constraints on g_mu-2. To study dark matter, we apply the WMAP constraint on the cold dark matter density. We develop Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) techniques to explore the parameter regions consistent with WMAP, finding them to be considerably superior to previously used methods for exploring supersymmetric parameter spaces. Finally, we study the reach of current and future direct detection experiments in light of the WMAP constraint.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2004

Detectability of the Sgr Dwarf Leading Tidal Stream with Auger, EUSO or OWL

We point out that if heavy metastable particles composing the dark matter of our galaxy are responsible for the ultra-high energy cosmic rays (UHECR) then the leading tidal stream of the Sagittarius dwarf galaxy could be detected through UHECR. The signal would be an anisotropy in the UHECR flux smaller than the telltale anisotropy towards the galactic center that would first establish unstable dark matter as the origin of the UHECR.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2004

DAMA Dark Matter Detection Compatible with Other Searches

We present two examples of velocity distributions for light dark matter particles that reconcile the annual modulation signal observed by DAMA with all other negative results from dark matter searches. They are: (1) a conventional Maxwellian distribution for particle masses of 6 to 9 GeV; (2) a dark matter stream coming from the general direction of Galactic rotation (not the Sagittarius stream). Our idea is based on having a signal in Na, instead of I, in DAMA, and can be tested in the immediate future by CDMS-II (using Si) and CRESST-II (using O).

hep-ph↗

arXiv2004

The Effects of the Sagittarius Dwarf Tidal Stream on Dark Matter Detectors

The Sagittarius dwarf tidal stream may be showering dark matter onto the solar neighborhood, which can change the results and interpretation of WIMP direct detection experiments. Stars in the stream may already have been detected in the solar neighborhood, and the dark matter in the stream is (0.3-25)% of the local density. Experiments should see an annually modulated steplike feature in the energy recoil spectrum that would be a smoking gun for WIMP detection. The total count rate in detectors is not a cosine curve in time and peaks at a different time of year than the standard case.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2004

Introduction to Non-Baryonic Dark Matter

These lectures on non-baryonic dark matter matter are divided into two parts. In the first part, I discuss the need for non-baryonic dark matter in light of recent results in cosmology, and I present some of the most popular candidates for non-baryonic dark matter. These include neutrinos, axions, neutralinos, WIMPZILLAs, etc. In the second part, I overview several observational techniques that can be employed to search for WIMPs (weakly interacting massive particles) as non-baryonic dark matter. Among these techniques, I discuss the direct detection of WIMP dark matter, and its indirect detection through high-energy neutrinos, gamma-rays, positrons, etc.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2004

Probing the Evolution of the Dark Energy Density with Future Supernova Surveys

The time dependence of the dark energy density can be an important clue to the nature of dark energy in the universe. We show that future supernova data from dedicated telescopes (such as SNAP), when combined with data of nearby supernovae, can be used to determine how the dark energy density $ρ_X(z)$ depends on redshift, if $ρ_X(z)$ is not too close to a constant. For quantitative comparison, we have done an extensive study of a number of dark energy models. Based on these models we have simulated data sets in order to show that we can indeed reconstruct the correct sign of the time dependence of the dark energy density, outside of a degeneracy region centered on $1+w_0 = -w_1 z_{max}/3$ (where $z_{max}$ is the maximum redshift of the survey, e.g., $z_{max}=1.7$ for SNAP). We emphasize that, given the same data, one can obtain much more information about the dark energy density directly (and its time dependence) than about its equation of state.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2003

Microlensing Candidates in M87 and the Virgo Cluster with the Hubble Space Telescope

The position of the giant elliptical galaxy M87 at the center of the Virgo Cluster means that the inferred column density of dark matter associated with both the cluster halo and the galaxy halo is quite large. This system is thus an important laboratory for studying massive dark objects in elliptical galaxies and galaxy clusters by gravitational microlensing, strongly complementing the studies of spiral galaxy halos performed in the Local Group. We have performed a microlensing survey of M87 with the WFPC2 instrument on the Hubble Space Telescope. Over a period of thirty days, with images taken once daily, we discover seven variable sources. Four are variable stars of some sort, two are consistent with classical novae, and one exhibits an excellent microlensing lightcurve, though with a very blue color implying the somewhat disfavored possibility of a horizontal branch source being lensed. Based on sensitivity calculations from artificial stars and from artificial lightcurves, we estimate the expected microlensing rate. We find that the detection of one event is consistent with a dark halo with a 20% contribution of microlensing objects for both M87 and the Virgo Cluster, similar to the value found from observations in the Local Group. Further work is required to test the hypothesized microlensing component to the cluster.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2003

Fluid Interpretation of Cardassian Expansion

A fluid interpretation of Cardassian expansion is developed. Here, the Friedmann equation takes the form $H^2 = g(ρ_M)$ where $ρ_M$ contains only matter and radiation (no vacuum). The function $g(\rhom)$ returns to the usual $8π\rhom/(3 m_{pl}^2)$ during the early history of the universe, but takes a different form that drives an accelerated expansion after a redshift $z \sim 1$. One possible interpretation of this function (and of the right hand side of Einstein's equations) is that it describes a fluid with total energy density $ρ_{tot} = {3 m_{pl}^2 \over 8 π} g(\rhom) = \rhom + ρ_K$ containing not only matter density (mass times number density) but also interaction terms $ρ_K$. These interaction terms give rise to an effective negative pressure which drives cosmological acceleration. These interactions may be due to interacting dark matter, e.g. with a fifth force between particles $F \sim r^{α-1}$. Such interactions may be intrinsically four dimensional or may result from higher dimensional physics. A fully relativistic fluid model is developed here, with conservation of energy, momentum, and particle number. A modified Poisson's equation is derived. A study of fluctuations in the early universe is presented, although a fully relativistic treatment of the perturbations including gauge choice is as yet incomplete.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2003

Future Type Ia Supernova Data as Tests of Dark Energy from Modified Friedmann Equations

In the Cardassian model, dark energy density arises from modifications to the Friedmann equation, which becomes $H^2 = g(\rhom)$, where $g(\rhom)$ is a new function of the energy density. The universe is flat, matter dominated, and accelerating. The distance redshift relation predictions of generalized Cardassian models can be very different from generic quintessence models, and can be differentiated with data from upcoming pencil beam surveys of Type Ia Supernovae such as SNAP. We have found the interesting result that, once $Ω_m$ is known to 10% accuracy, SNAP will be able to determine the sign of the time dependence of the dark energy density. Knowledge of this sign (which is related to the weak energy condition) will provide a first discrimination between various cosmological models that fit the current observational data (cosmological constant, quintessence, Cardassian expansion). Further, we have performed Monte Carlo simulations to illustrate how well one can reproduce the form of the dark energy density with SNAP. To be concrete we study a class of two parameter ($n$,$q$) generalized Cardassian models that includes the original Cardassian model (parametrized by $n$ only) as a special case. Examples are given of MP Cardassian models that fit current supernovae and CMB data, and prospects for differentiating between MP Cardassian and other models in future data are discussed. We also note that some Cardassian models can satisfy the weak energy condition $w>-1$ even with a dark energy component that has an effective equation of state $w_X < -1$.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2003

Accurate relic densities with neutralino, chargino and sfermion coannihilations in mSUGRA

Neutralinos arise as natural dark matter candidates in many supersymmetric extensions of the Standard Model. We present a novel calculation of the neutralino relic abundance in which we include all so called coannihilation processes between neutralinos, charginos and sfermions, and, at the same time, we apply the state of the art technique to trace the freeze-out of a species in the early Universe. As a first application, we discuss here results valid in the mSUGRA framework; we enlight general trends as well as perform a detailed study of the neutralino relic densities in the mSUGRA parameter space. The emerging picture is fair agreement with previous analyses in the same framework, however we have the power to discuss it in many more details than previously done. E.g., we find that the cosmological bound on the neutralino mass is pushed up to ~565 GeV in the stau coannihilation region and to ~1500 GeV in the chargino coannihilation region.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2002

An Accelerating Universe from Dark Matter Interactions with Negative Pressure

As an explanation for the acceleration of the universe, we propose dark matter with self-interactions characterized by a negative pressure; there is no vacuum energy whatsoever in this Cardassian model. These self-interactions may arise due to a long-range "fifth force" which grows with the distance between particles. We use the ordinary Friedmann equation, $H^2 = 8 πG ρ/3$, and take the energy density to be the sum of two terms: $ρ= ρ_M + ρ_K$. Here $ρ_M \equiv m n_M$ is the ordinary mass density and $ρ_K \equiv ρ_K(ρ_M)$ is a new interaction term which depends only on the matter density. For example, in the original version of the Cardassian model, $ρ_K = b ρ_M^n$ with $n<2/3$; other examples are studied as well. We use the ordinary four-dimensional Einstein's equations $G_{μν} = 8 πG T_{μν} $ and assume a perfect fluid form for the energy momentum tensor. Given this ansatz, we can compute the accompanying pressure, and use the conservation of the energy-momentum tensor to obtain modified forms of the Euler's equation, Poisson equation, and continuity equation. With this fully relativistic description, one will then be able to compute growth of density perturbations, effects on the Cosmic Background Radiation, and other effects with an eye to observational tests of the model.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2002

DarkSUSY - A numerical package for supersymmetric dark matter calculations

The question of the nature of dark matter in the Universe remains one of the most outstanding unsolved problems in basic science. One of the best motivated particle physics candidates is the lightest supersymmetric particle, assumed to be the lightest neutralino. We here describe DarkSUSY, an advanced numerical FORTRAN package for supersymmetric dark matter calculations. With DarkSUSY one can: (i) compute masses and compositions of various supersymmetric particles; (ii) compute the relic density of the lightest neutralino, using accurate methods which include the effects of resonances, pair production thresholds and coannihilations; (iii) check accelerator bounds to identify allowed supersymmetric models; and (iv) obtain neutralino detection rates for a variety of detection methods, including direct detection and indirect detection through antiprotons, gamma-rays and positrons from the Galactic halo or neutrinos from the center of the Earth or the Sun.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2002

The positron excess and supersymmetric dark matter

Using a new instrument, the HEAT collaboration has confirmed the excess of cosmic ray positrons that they first detected in 1994. We explore the possibility that this excess is due to the annihilation of neutralino dark matter in the galactic halo. We confirm that neutralino annihilation can produce enough positrons to make up the measured excess only if there is an additional enhancement to the signal. We quantify the `boost factor' that is required in the signal for various models in the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model parameter space, and find that a boost factor >30 provides good fits to the HEAT data. Such an enhancement in the signal could arise if we live in a clumpy halo.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2002

Recoil momentum spectrum in directional dark matter detectors

Directional dark matter detectors will be able to record the recoil momentum spectrum of nuclei hit by dark matter WIMPs. We show that the recoil momentum spectrum is the Radon transform of the WIMP velocity distribution. This allows us to obtain analytic expressions for the recoil spectra of a variety of velocity distributions. We comment on the possibility of inverting the recoil momentum spectrum and obtaining the three-dimensional WIMP velocity distribution from data.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2002

Indirect detection of a subdominant density component of cold dark matter

We examine the detectability through indirect means of weakly interacting dark matter candidates that may constitute not all but only a subdominant component of galactic cold dark matter. We show that the possibility of indirect detection of neutralinos from their annihilations in the Earth and Sun is not severely hampered by decreasing neutralino relic density. Upward-going muon fluxes in underground detectors from neutralino annihilations in the Sun can remain above the threshold of detectability of 10 muons/km^2/yr for neutralinos composing 1% or more of the halo dark matter. Similarly, signals from neutralino annihilations in the Earth can also remain high for neutralino densities of 1% of the halo and actually would only be observable close to this low density for neutralinos lighter than 150 GeV. We also show that there are many models which simultaneously have high direct and indirect detection rates making some model discrimination possible if a signal is seen in any of the current dark matter searches.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2002

Measuring the prompt atmospheric neutrino flux with down-going muons in neutrino telescopes

In the TeV energy region and above, the uncertainty in the level of prompt atmospheric neutrinos would limit the search for diffuse astrophysical neutrinos. We suggest that neutrino telescopes may provide an empirical determination of the flux of prompt atmospheric electron and muon neutrinos by measuring the flux of prompt down-going muons. Our suggestion is based on the consideration that prompt neutrino and prompt muon fluxes at sea level are almost identical.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2001

The cosmic ray positron excess and neutralino dark matter

Using a new instrument, the HEAT collaboration has confirmed the excess of cosmic ray positrons that they first detected in 1994. We explore the possibility that this excess is due to the annihilation of neutralino dark matter in the galactic halo. We confirm that neutralino annihilation can produce enough positrons to make up the measured excess only if there is an additional enhancement to the signal. We quantify the `boost factor' that is required in the signal for various models in the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model parameter space, and study the dependence on various parameters. We find models with a boost factor greater than 30. Such an enhancement in the signal could arise if we live in a clumpy halo. We discuss what part of supersymmetric parameter space is favored (in that it gives the largest positron signal), and the consequences for other direct and indirect searches of supersymmetric dark matter.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2001

On the direct detection of extragalactic WIMPs

We consider the direct detection of WIMPs reaching the Earth from outside the Milky Way. If these WIMPs form a distinct population they will, although of much lower flux than typical galactic halo WIMPs, have a number of features which might aid in their ultimate detectability: a high and essentially unique velocity ($\sim 600$ km/s in the galactic rest frame) due to their acceleration in entering the Milky Way, and most likely one or two unique flight directions at the Earth. This high velocity may be experimentally advantageous in direct detection experiments, since it gives a recoil signal at relatively high energy where background is generally much reduced. For a density of extragalactic WIMPs comparable to the critical density of the universe the count rate expected is very roughly the same as that of fast galactic WIMPs. If there is an increased density relative to critical associated with the Local Group of galaxies, say 10-30 times the critical density, there is a corresponding increase in rate and the extragalactic WIMPs would show up as a high energy shoulder in the recoil energy distribution. Evidence of such WIMPs as a separate population with these distinct properties would offer interesting information on the formation and prehistory of the galaxy.

astro-ph↗