2005/08/11 by Katherine Freese · 1 citation
Physics and Astronomy · #Astronomy #Astrophysics #Astrophysics and Cosmic Phenomena #Axion #Cosmology #Cosmology and Gravitation Theories #Dark Matter and Cosmic Phenomena #Dark energy #Dark fluid #Dark matter #Dark matter halo #Galactic Center #Galactic halo #Galaxy #Halo #Hot dark matter #Light dark matter #Milky Way #Mixed dark matter #Particle physics #Physics #Scalar field dark matter #WIMP #Warm dark matter #Weakly interacting massive particles #astro-ph #hep-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.1016/j.nima.2005.12.132
published as Nucl.Instrum.Meth.A559:337-340,2006 · paper for conference proceeding of LTD-11 WOrkshop in Tokyo, August 2005, 5 pages, 2 figures
arxiv created 2005/08/11 · openalex publication_date 2006/01/07 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
I will begin by reviewing the evidence for Dark Matter in the Universe, as well as the candidates for dark matter. At most 20% of the dark matter in galaxies can be in the form of MACHOs (Massive Compact Halo Objects); the remainder appears to be some unknown exotic component. The most sensible candidates from the point of view of particle physics are axions and WIMPs (Weakly Interacting Massive Particles), where WIMPs may be supersymmetric particles. Three recent claims of possible detection of WIMP dark matter are tantalizing and will be discussed: the DAMA annual modulation, the HEAT positron excess, and gamma-rays from the Galactic Center. In addition, I will discuss the dependence of signals in detectors on the mass distribution in the Galactic Halo. In particular, the Sagittarius stream can be a smoking gun for WIMP detection.