2000/02/29 by Andreas Burkert · 3 citations
Physics and Astronomy · #Astrophysics #Cold dark matter #Core (optical fiber) #Cosmology #Cosmology and Gravitation Theories #Dark Matter and Cosmic Phenomena #Dark energy #Dark matter #Dark matter halo #Galaxies: Formation, Evolution, Phenomena #Galaxy #Galaxy rotation curve #Halo #Hot dark matter #Physics #Structure formation #astro-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.1086/312674
15 pages, 2 figures. Accepted by Ap.J Letters on March, 24th
arxiv created 2000/04/18 · openalex publication_date 2000/05/10 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
The evolution of halos consisting of weakly self-interacting dark matter particles is investigated using a new numerical Monte Carlo N-body method. The halos initially contain kinematically cold, dense r-1 power-law cores. For interaction cross sections sigma*=sigmawsi&solm0;mp>/=10-100 cm2 g-1, weak self-interaction leads to the formation of isothermal, constant-density cores within a Hubble time as a result of heat transfer into the cold inner regions. This core structure is in good agreement with the observations of dark matter rotation curves in dwarf galaxies. The isothermal core radii and core densities are a function of the halo scale radii and scale masses which depend on the cosmological model. Adopting the currently popular LambdaCDM model, the predicted core radii and core densities are in good agreement with the observations. For large interaction cross sections, massive dark halos with scale radii rs>/=1.4x104 cm2 g-1 (sigma*)-1 kpc could experience core collapse during their lifetime, leading to cores with singular isothermal density profiles.