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Strong lensing signatures of self-interacting dark matter in low-mass halos

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arxiv 2105.05259 v3 pith:ABNJVA4F submitted 2021-05-11 astro-ph.CO

Strong lensing signatures of self-interacting dark matter in low-mass halos

classification astro-ph.CO
keywords amplitudehalossidmcrossdarkmattersectionsigma
verification ladder T0 review T1 audit T2 compute T3 formal T4 reserved
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abstract

Core formation and runaway core collapse in models with self-interacting dark matter (SIDM) significantly alter the central density profiles of collapsed halos. Using a forward modeling inference framework with simulated datasets, we demonstrate that flux ratios in quadruple image strong gravitational lenses can detect the unique structural properties of SIDM halos, and statistically constrain the amplitude and velocity dependence of the interaction cross section in halos with masses between $10^6 - 10^{10} M_{\odot}$. Measurements on these scales probe self-interactions at velocities below $30 \ \rm{km} \ \rm{s^{-1}}$, a relatively unexplored regime of parameter space, complimenting constraints at higher velocities from galaxies and clusters. We cast constraints on the amplitude and velocity dependence of the interaction cross section in terms of $\sigma_{20}$, the cross section amplitude at $20 \ \rm{km} \ \rm{s^{-1}}$. With 50 lenses, a sample size available in the near future, and flux ratios measured from spatially compact mid-IR emission around the background quasar, we forecast $\sigma_{20} < 11-23 \ \rm{cm^2} \rm{g^{-1}}$ at $95 \%$ CI, depending on the amplitude of the subhalo mass function, and assuming cold dark matter (CDM). Alternatively, if $\sigma_{20} = 19.2 \ \rm{cm^2}\rm{g^{-1}}$ we can rule out CDM with a likelihood ratio of 20:1, assuming an amplitude of the subhalo mass function that results from doubly-efficient tidal disruption in the Milky Way relative to massive elliptical galaxies. These results demonstrate that strong lensing of compact, unresolved sources can constrain SIDM structure on sub-galactic scales across cosmological distances, and the evolution of SIDM density profiles over several Gyr of cosmic time.

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Cited by 9 Pith papers

Reviewed papers in the Pith corpus that reference this work. Sorted by Pith novelty score.

  1. Non-Equilibrium Relativistic Core Collapse of Self-Interacting Dark Matter Halos -- Limits On Seed Black Hole Mass

    astro-ph.CO 2026-01 unverdicted novelty 7.0

    Non-equilibrium relativistic SIDM halo collapse produces seed black holes of mass ~3e-8 of the halo mass at apparent horizon formation.

  2. Role of prompt cusps in driving the core collapse of SIDM halos

    astro-ph.GA 2025-11 unverdicted novelty 7.0

    Prompt cusps delay core formation by a factor of ~2 in SIDM halos but later collapse tracks align after rescaling, with ~5% late-stage deviations depending on concentration and outer velocity dispersion.

  3. The diffraction-lensing interpretation of GW231123 with astrophysical priors

    astro-ph.CO 2026-07 conditional novelty 6.0

    GW231123 is better fit by a lower-mass merger diffracted by an isolated ~1000 M_sun lens, but astrophysical priors and a frequentist rate estimate make this lensing interpretation unlikely.

  4. The free-streaming length of dark matter from JWST observations of 28 strong gravitational lenses

    astro-ph.CO 2026-06 unverdicted novelty 6.0

    JWST lensing data on 28 systems constrain dark matter free-streaming length to below 6-7 kpc and thermal relic mass above 6.5-7.4 keV, consistent with cold dark matter predictions.

  5. Probing Collapsed Dark Matter Halos with Fast Radio Bursts

    astro-ph.CO 2026-04 unverdicted novelty 6.0

    Core-collapsed SIDM halos produce longer FRB image time delays than CDM halos, enabling future surveys to constrain self-interaction cross sections above roughly 18-40 cm²/g depending on collapse timing.

  6. Across the Universe: GW231123 as a magnified and diffracted black hole merger

    astro-ph.GA 2025-12 conditional novelty 6.0

    GW231123's extreme mass and spins may be explained by a point-mass microlens embedded in a galaxy, reducing the inferred source mass to about 100-180 solar masses.

  7. JWST lensed quasar dark matter survey IV: Stringent warm dark matter constraints from the joint reconstruction of extended lensed arcs and quasar flux ratios

    astro-ph.CO 2025-11 conditional novelty 6.0

    Adding extended lensed arcs to quasar flux ratios in 28 JWST lenses tightens the dark-matter free-streaming limit to m_hm < 10^7.4 M⊙ (galacticus prior) and gives the most precise lensing measurement of subhalo abundance.

  8. Self-Interacting Dark Matter with Mass Segregation: A Unified Explanation of Dwarf Cores and Small-Scale Lenses

    astro-ph.CO 2025-06 unverdicted novelty 6.0

    Two-component SIDM with velocity-dependent inter- and intra-species interactions produces mass segregation that forms dwarf cores and boosts small-scale strong lensing efficiency by a factor of a few.

  9. The Sensitivity of Substructure Lensing to SIDM Core-collapse Model Variation

    astro-ph.CO 2026-05 unverdicted novelty 4.0

    The two-point correlation function of lensing deflection fields shows sensitivity to variations in SIDM subhalo core-collapse modeling at small scales.