Self-interacting Dark Matter in Cosmological Simulations

Self-interacting Dark Matter in Cosmological Simulations PDF Author: Alexander Bastidas Fry
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 158

Book Description
Self-Interacting Dark Matter is a cosmologically consistent alternative theory to Cold Dark Matter that solves problems of the Cold Dark Matter model on small scales. Our N-body simulations demonstrate that Self-Interacting Dark Matter creates constant density cores that are consistent with observations of Local Group dwarf galaxies. However, the apparent problems of Cold Dark Matter have natural astrophysical contributions from baryonic supernovae feedback. The evidence for Self-Interacting Dark Matter taken together with the evidence for the need for better feedback models presents a challenging environment in which to place constraints on either. We use high resolution cosmological simulations to compare the detailed properties of galaxies at a range of masses with a focus on dwarf galaxies which are the most dark matter dominated galaxies in the universe. We conclude that it is possible that velocity dependent Self-Interacting Dark Matter could explain the common mass scale of dark matter on small scales, the too big to fail problem, and the core versus cusp problem even in the absence of strong stellar feedback; however, baryonic processes offer solutions to these same problems. We find that once baryon physics and outflows are introduced, cores are created in both Self-Interacting Dark Matter and Cold Dark Matter cosmologies.

Constraints on Dark Matter and Milky Way Satellite Galaxies from Cosmological Simulations

Constraints on Dark Matter and Milky Way Satellite Galaxies from Cosmological Simulations PDF Author: Miguel Eduardo Rocha Gaso
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781303810305
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 181

Book Description
Cosmological simulations describing the non-linear evolution of dark matter structures in the Universe have become an indispensable tool to study the predictions made by our standard model of cosmology, and to confront them with observations. In this thesis I present a new idea for using cosmological simulations to infer the accretion times of Milky Way satellite galaxies from their observed positions and kinematics. We find that Carina, Ursa Minor, and Sculptor were all accreted early, more than 8 Gyr ago. Five other dwarfs, including Sextans and Segue 1, are also probable early accreters, though with larger uncertainties. On the other extreme, Leo T is just falling into the Milky Way for the first time while Leo I fell ~2 Gyr ago and is now climbing out of the Milky Way's potential after its first perigalacticon. The energies of several other dwarfs, including Fornax and Hercules, point to intermediate infall times, 2 - 8 Gyr ago. Our analysis suggests that the Large Magellanic Cloud crossed inside the Milky Way virial radius recently, within the last ~4 billion years. Also I present new constrains on how strongly dark matter particles can interact with themselves. For this we use a set cosmological simulations that implement a new self-consistent algorithm to treat dark matter self-interactions. We find that self-interacting dark matter models with cross sections in the order [sigma]/m ~ 0.5 cm2 /g ~ 1 barn/GeV would be capable of reproducing the observed core sizes and central densities of dark matter halos in a wide range of scales, from tiny dwarf galaxies to large galaxy clusters, without violating any other observational constraints. Higher resolution simulations over a wider range of masses and properly accounting for the effects of baryonic processes that are not yet included in our simulation will be required to confirm our expectations and place better constraints. I discuss our plans for achieving this goal and show some preliminary results from a new set of simulations.

Constraining Dark Matter Physics with Cosmological Simulations

Constraining Dark Matter Physics with Cosmological Simulations PDF Author: Oliver D. Elbert
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780355311112
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 111

Book Description
Dark Matter (DM) accounts for the vast majority of mass in the universe, but the particle identity of dark matter remains a mystery. Uncovering the fundamental nature of DM remains one of the greatest challenges facing modern physics. Because the only information about DM comes from astrophysical observations, these are the best sources to constrain models. Dwarf galaxies present an especially tantalizing regime to investigate dark physics, as they have the highest ratio of dark to luminous matter and therefore will be most affected by differences between DM models. Additionally, this is precisely the scale where generic dark matter theories have the most difficulty reproducing astronomical observations, leading to the missing satellites, core-cusp and too-big-to-fail (TBTF) problems.A particular class of models with nuclear scale self-interactions (called SIDM) has emerged as a promising candidate. SIDM naturally forms cored halos, which may alleviate both the core-cusp and TBTF problems. However, at larger scales the the interplay between SIDM halos and the galaxies residing in them is poorly understood, complicating this picture greatly. In this thesis I present numerical simulations of SIDM and CDM halos investigating these issues. I show that at dwarf scales SIDM cross sections as small as 0.5cm2 g--1 solve the TBTF and core-cusp problems, and that cross sections 2 orders of magnitude larger are not ruled out. I have also embedded gravitational potentials that approximate realistic galaxies in simulations of larger haloes in order to test the impact of galaxy formation on SIDM halos. These simulations show that SIDM is indistinguishable from CDM in systems where the galaxy dominates the central region, but in galaxies with higher mass-to-light ratios or less centrally concentrated baryons it is possible to constrain SIDM cross sections. In the galaxy cluster regime I show that an SIDM cross section of $0.1-0.2 cm2 g --1 is preferred to CDM or other SIDM cross sections.

Sources and Detection of Dark Matter and Dark Energy in the Universe

Sources and Detection of Dark Matter and Dark Energy in the Universe PDF Author: David B. Cline
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3662045877
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 551

Book Description
Dark matter research is one of the most fascinating and active fields among current high-profile scientific endeavours. It holds the key to all major breakthroughs to come in the fields of cosmology and astroparticle physics. The present volume is particularly concerned with the sources and the detection of dark matter and dark energy in the universe and will prove to be an invaluable research tool for all scientists who work in this field.

An Introduction To Particle Dark Matter

An Introduction To Particle Dark Matter PDF Author: Stefano Profumo
Publisher: World Scientific Publishing Company
ISBN: 1786340038
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 287

Book Description
What is the dark matter that fills the Universe and binds together galaxies? How was it produced? What are its interactions and particle properties?The paradigm of dark matter is one of the key developments at the interface of cosmology and elementary particle physics. It is also one of the foundations of the standard cosmological model. This book presents the state of the art in building and testing particle models for dark matter. Each chapter gives an analysis of questions, research directions, and methods within the field. More than 200 problems are included to challenge and stimulate the reader's knowledge and provide guidance in the practical implementation of the numerous 'tools of the trade' presented. Appendices summarize the basics of cosmology and particle physics needed for any quantitative understanding of particle models for dark matter.This interdisciplinary textbook is essential reading for anyone interested in the microscopic nature of dark matter as it manifests itself in particle physics experiments, cosmological observations, and high-energy astrophysical phenomena: from graduate students and advanced undergraduates to cosmologists and astrophysicists interested in particle models for dark matter and particle physicists interested in early-universe cosmology and high-energy astrophysics.

Probing Local Group Galactic Substructure with Cosmological Simulations

Probing Local Group Galactic Substructure with Cosmological Simulations PDF Author: Gregory Alan Dooley
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 358

Book Description
The Lambda cold dark matter (ACDM) model is enormously successful at predicting large scale structure in the Universe. However, some tensions still remain on small scales, specifically regarding observed satellites of the Milky Way (MW) and Andromeda. Foremost among the problems have been the missing satellite, too big to fail, and cusp/core problems, which concern the expected abundance of satellites and their inner structure. This Ph.D. thesis consists of a series of studies using dark matter only cosmological N-body simulations of MW-mass galaxies to address topics related to these issues. In light of the recent Planck mission, I investigate how changes to cosmological parameters affect dark matter halo substructure. I find that the process of continuous sub-halo accretion and destruction leads to a steady state description of most subhalo properties in a given host, unchanged by small fluctuations in cosmological parameters. Subhalo concentration, maximum circular velocity, and formation times, however, are somewhat affected. One way to reduce the central density of satellites, as needed to solve the cusp/core and too big to fail problems, is through self-interacting dark matter (SIDM). I search for new implications of SIDM and find that stars in satellites spread out to larger radii and are tidally stripped at a higher rate in SIDM than CDM, even though the mass loss rate of dark matter is unchanged. These signatures should be particularly prominent in ultrafaint dwarf galaxies for the class of otherwise difficult to constrain velocity-dependent SIDM models. I also helped carry out the Caterpillar project, a suite of 36 high mass resolution (~ 10' Mo/particle) simulations of MW-like galaxies used to study diversity in halo substructure. To these, I apply abundance matching and reionization models to make novel predictions about the abundance of satellites in isolated dwarf galaxies out to 8 Mpc to help guide future searches. Applying the same techniques to predict satellites within 50 kpc of the LMC, I discover large discrepancies with the observed stellar mass function, which may lead to new constraints on the galaxy stellar mass-halo mass relationship, and the ability of reionization to leave dark matter halos entirely dark.

Dark Matter and Dark Energy

Dark Matter and Dark Energy PDF Author: Sabino Matarrese
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9048186854
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 413

Book Description
This book brings together reviews from leading international authorities on the developments in the study of dark matter and dark energy, as seen from both their cosmological and particle physics side. Studying the physical and astrophysical properties of the dark components of our Universe is a crucial step towards the ultimate goal of unveiling their nature. The work developed from a doctoral school sponsored by the Italian Society of General Relativity and Gravitation. The book starts with a concise introduction to the standard cosmological model, as well as with a presentation of the theory of linear perturbations around a homogeneous and isotropic background. It covers the particle physics and cosmological aspects of dark matter and (dynamical) dark energy, including a discussion of how modified theories of gravity could provide a possible candidate for dark energy. A detailed presentation is also given of the possible ways of testing the theory in terms of cosmic microwave background, galaxy redshift surveys and weak gravitational lensing observations. Included is a chapter reviewing extensively the direct and indirect methods of detection of the hypothetical dark matter particles. Also included is a self-contained introduction to the techniques and most important results of numerical (e.g. N-body) simulations in cosmology. " This volume will be useful to researchers, PhD and graduate students in Astrophysics, Cosmology Physics and Mathematics, who are interested in cosmology, dark matter and dark energy.

SIDM on Fire: Hydrodynamical Self-interacting Dark Matter Simulations of Low-mass Dwarf Galaxies

SIDM on Fire: Hydrodynamical Self-interacting Dark Matter Simulations of Low-mass Dwarf Galaxies PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

Book Description


N-body Simulations of Self-interacting Dark Matter with a Velocity-dependent Cross Section

N-body Simulations of Self-interacting Dark Matter with a Velocity-dependent Cross Section PDF Author: Lenard Kasselmann
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

Book Description


Beyond ΛCDM

Beyond ΛCDM PDF Author: Sownak Bose
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319967614
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 207

Book Description
This book employs computer simulations of ‘artificial’ Universes to investigate the properties of two popular alternatives to the standard candidates for dark matter (DM) and dark energy (DE). It confronts the predictions of theoretical models with observations using a sophisticated semi-analytic model of galaxy formation. Understanding the nature of dark matter (DM) and dark energy (DE) are two of the most central problems in modern cosmology. While their important role in the evolution of the Universe has been well established—namely, that DM serves as the building blocks of galaxies, and that DE accelerates the expansion of the Universe—their true nature remains elusive. In the first half, the authors consider ‘sterile neutrino’ DM, motivated by recent claims that these particles may have finally been detected. Using sophisticated models of galaxy formation, the authors find that future observations of the high redshift Universe and faint dwarf galaxies in the Local Group can place strong constraints on the sterile neutrino scenario. In the second half, the authors propose and test novel numerical algorithms for simulating Universes with a ‘modified’ theory of gravity, as an alternative explanation to accelerated expansion. The authors’ techniques improve the efficiency of these simulations by more than a factor of 20 compared to previous methods, inviting the readers into a new era for precision cosmological tests of gravity.