An Introduction To Particle Dark Matter

by Stefano Profumo

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781786340009
Publisher:	World Scientific Publishing Europe Ltd
Publication date:	04/19/2017
Series:	Advanced Textbooks In Physics
Pages:	288
Sales rank:	994,687
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.70(d)

Table of Contents

Preface v

About the Author ix

Acknowledgments xi

Chapter 1 Particle Dark Matter: The Name of the Game 1

1.1 Praeludium 1

1.2 There is more matter than the matter that shines - classical (mechanical) evidences 2

1.3 X-ray hales 11

1.4 Weak Sensing 13

1.5 A simple subtraction 16

1.6 Timely structure formation 18

1.7 The dark matter density and velocity distribution 21

1.8 Can "dark" baryons fit the bill? 24

1.9 Cross features of a decent dark matter particle 28

1.10 Outline of the book 32

Chapter 2 The Thermal Relic Paradigm: Zeroth-Order Lessons from Cosmology 33

2.1 Praeludium 33

2.2 Thermal relics 34

2.3 Hot and cold thermal relics 36

2.4 How heavy and how light can cold relics be? 42

Chapter 3 The Thermal Relic Paradigm: A Closer Look 47

3.1 Praeludium 47

3.2 The Boltzmann equation 48

3.3 Three classic (and important) caveats to the standard story 56

3.4 Modified thermal history: a quintessential example 61

3.5 Non-thermal dark matter production and asymmetric dark matter 63

3.6 Kinetic decoupling and the smallest dark matter halos 64

3.7 Lesser known stories and miracles of SIDMs, SIMPs, ELDERs, semi-annihilation, freeze-in, and FIMPs 69

Chapter 4 The Art of WIMP Direct Detection 77

4.1 Praeludium 77

4.2 Why direct detection is a tough business 80

4.3 Direct detection event rates, for real 83

4.4 Taking it spin by spin 89

4.5 The neutrino floor 95

Chapter 5 Indirect Dark Matter Searches 99

5.1 Praeludium 99

5.2 The ingredients of indirect dark matter searches 100

5.3 Indirect detection: warm-up lap 106

5.4 Charged cosmic rays 108

5.5 The tiny neutral ones 119

5.6 Light from dark matter 124

Chapter 6 Searching for Dark Matter with Particle Colliders 131

6.1 Praeludium 131

6.2 Examples from supersymmetry and UED 133

6.3 Effective theory approach 139

6.4 Simplified models 142

6.5 Invisible Higgs decays to dark matter 144

Chapter 7 Axions and Axion-like Particles as Dark Matter 147

7.1 Praeludium 147

7.2 Axions and stars 151

7.3 Axion production 155

7.4 Axion detection 161

Chapter 8 Sterile Neutrinos as Dark Matter Particles 167

8.1 Praeludium 167

8.2 Sterile neutrino dark matter? 169

8.3 Sterile neutrino production 171

8.4 Sterile neutrino dark matter, and how to discover it 175

Chapter 9 Bestiarium: A Short, Biased Compendium of Notable Dark Matter Particle Candidates and Models 185

9.1 Praeludium 185

9.2 Of gravitinos and other depressing dark matter candidates 186

9.3 Superheavy dark matter: WIMPzillas! 195

9.4 Self-interacting dark matter (SIDM) 201

9.5 Asymmetric dark matter 206

9.6 What does "minimality" mean, and how does it look like? 210

Appendix A Rudimentary Particle Physics 223

A.1 The magic world of natural units 223

A.2 Cross sections and decay widths 225

A.3 Effective theories in a nutshell 227

A.4 A succinct primer on neutralino dark matter 232

A.5 A succinct primer on (minimal) universal extra dimension's (UED) Kaluza-Klein dark matter 237

Appendix B Rudimentary Cosmology 241

B.1 Friedman-Robertson-Walker cosmology 241

B.2 Thermodynamics of the early universe 244

B.3 Thermal decoupling 248

Bibliography 251

Index 267