Galactic Rotation Curves with Dark Matter Self-Interactions

Dr. Ayuki Kamada (UC Riverside)
2015-08-31 

ISAS seminar

Abstract: 
It has been shown that the LambdaCDM model can successfully explain large-scale structure of the universe. But it is not clear that it can accommodate observations on (sub-)galactic scales. In fact, the LambdaCDM model predicts dark matter halos, which are systematically denser than inferred from astrophysical observations. One interesting alternative assumes that dark matter particles are strongly interacting with each other. Dark matter self-interactions will lead to heat transfer from the hotter outer region to the cold inner region, reducing the central dark matter density. In this talk, I will show that the observed rotation curves of spiral galaxies are consistent with predicted in the SIDM model. I will also emphasize the importance of the baryonic disk in determining the SIDM halo profile.