Propagation of Galactic Cosmic Rays and Dark Matter Indirect Detection

Propagation of Galactic Cosmic Rays and Dark Matter Indirect Detection PDF Author: Timur Delahaye
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 226

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Book Description
This thesis is dedicated to the study of propagation of cosmic electrons and positrons in the Milky Way and to the indirect detection of dark matter. The existence of dark matter is a hypothesis considered as reasonable from the point of view of cosmology, astrophysics and even particle physics. Nevertheless its detection still eludes us and it is not possible to verify this hypothesis by other means than gravitational one. A possible way to detect dark matter is to look for its annihilation or decay products among Galactic cosmic rays. During the last three years, data concerning cosmic ray electrons and positrons have been accumulated and have reached a remarkable precision. Such a precision requires from us to refine the theoretical models and to quantify the errors. This thesis addresses the study of all the sources of uncertainties affecting predictions of cosmic electrons and positron fluxes, primary and secondary, classical or from exotic origin. The greatest care has been dedicated to the sources and the propagation in the Galactic halo. Moreover a study of gamma and radio emissions associated to these cosmic rays is presented, again with the will of sizing uncertainties. Finally a status of the research for detection of annihilation or decay of Galactic dark matter is presented.

Propagation of Galactic Cosmic Rays and Dark Matter Indirect Detection

Propagation of Galactic Cosmic Rays and Dark Matter Indirect Detection PDF Author: Timur Delahaye
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 226

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Book Description
This thesis is dedicated to the study of propagation of cosmic electrons and positrons in the Milky Way and to the indirect detection of dark matter. The existence of dark matter is a hypothesis considered as reasonable from the point of view of cosmology, astrophysics and even particle physics. Nevertheless its detection still eludes us and it is not possible to verify this hypothesis by other means than gravitational one. A possible way to detect dark matter is to look for its annihilation or decay products among Galactic cosmic rays. During the last three years, data concerning cosmic ray electrons and positrons have been accumulated and have reached a remarkable precision. Such a precision requires from us to refine the theoretical models and to quantify the errors. This thesis addresses the study of all the sources of uncertainties affecting predictions of cosmic electrons and positron fluxes, primary and secondary, classical or from exotic origin. The greatest care has been dedicated to the sources and the propagation in the Galactic halo. Moreover a study of gamma and radio emissions associated to these cosmic rays is presented, again with the will of sizing uncertainties. Finally a status of the research for detection of annihilation or decay of Galactic dark matter is presented.

Dark Matter Indirect Detection with Charged Cosmic Rays

Dark Matter Indirect Detection with Charged Cosmic Rays PDF Author: Gaelle Giesen
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Overwhelming evidence for the existence of Dark Matter (DM), in the form of an unknownparticle filling the galactic halos, originates from many observations in astrophysics and cosmology: its gravitational effects are apparent on galactic rotations, in galaxy clusters and in shaping the large scale structure of the Universe. On the other hand, a non-gravitational manifestation of its presence is yet to be unveiled. One of the most promising techniques is the one of indirect detection, aimed at identifying excesses in cosmic ray fluxes which could possibly be produced by DM annihilations or decays in the Milky Way halo. The current experimental efforts mainly focus in the GeV to TeV energy range, which is also where signals from WIMPs (Weakly Interacting Massive Particles) are expected. Focussing on charged cosmic rays, in particular antiprotons, electrons and positrons, as well as their secondary emissions, an analysis of current and forseen cosmic ray measurements and improvements on astrophysical models are presented. Antiproton data from PAMELA imposes contraints on annihilating and decaying DM which are similar to (or even slightly stronger than) the most stringent bounds from gamma ray experiments, even when kinetic energies below 10 GeV are discarded. However, choosing different sets of astrophysical parameters, in the form of propagation models and halo profiles, allows the contraints to span over one or two orders of magnitude. In order to exploit fully the power of antiprotons to constrain or discover DM, effects which were previously perceived as subleading turn out to be relevant especially for the analysis of the newly released AMS-02 data. In fact, including energy losses, diffusive reaccelleration and solar modulation can somewhat modify the current bounds, even at large DM masses. A wrong interpretation of the data may arise if they are not taken into account. Finally, using the updated proton and helium fluxes just released by the AMS-02 experiment, the astrophysical antiproton to proton ratio and its uncertainties are reevaluated and compared to the preliminarly reported AMS-02 measurements. No unambiguous evidence for a significant excess with respect to expectations is found. Yet, some preference for thicker halos and a flatter energy dependence of the diffusion coefficient starts to emerge. New stringed constraints on DM annihilation and decay are derived. Secondary emissions from electrons and positrons can also be used to constrain DM annihilation or decay in the galactic halo. The radio signal due to synchrotron radiation of electrons and positrons on the galactic magnetic field, gamma rays from bremsstrahlung processes on the galactic gas densities and from Inverse Compton scattering processes on the interstellar radiation field are considered. With several magnetic field configurations, propagation scenarios and improved gas density maps and interstellar radiation field, state-of-art tools allowing the computaion of synchrotron and bremssttrahlung radiation for any WIMP DM model are provided. All numerical results for DM are incorporated in the release of the Poor Particle Physicist Cookbook for DM Indirect Detection (PPPC4DMID). Finally, the possible GeV gamma-ray excess identified in the Fermi-LAT data from the Galactic Center in terms of DM annihilation, either in hadronic or leptonic channels is studied. In order to test this tantalizing interprestation, a multi-messenger approach is used: first, the computation of secondary emisison from DM with respect to previous works confirms it to be relevant for determining the DM spectrum in leptonic channels. Second, limits from antiprotons severely constrain the DM interpretation of the excess in the hadronic channel, for standard assumptions on the Galactic propagation parameters and solar modulation. However, they considerably relax if more conservative choices are adopted.

Detecting Dark Matter in the Milky Way with Cosmic and Gamma Radiation

Detecting Dark Matter in the Milky Way with Cosmic and Gamma Radiation PDF Author: Eric C. Carlson
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781339956992
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 673

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Book Description
Over the last decade, experiments in high-energy astroparticle physics have reached unprecedented precision and sensitivity which span the electromagnetic and cosmic-ray spectra. These advances have opened a new window onto the universe for which little was previously known. Such dramatic increases in sensitivity lead naturally to claims of excess emission, which call for either revised astrophysical models or the existence of exotic new sources such as particle dark matter. Here we stand firmly with Occam, sharpening his razor by (i) developing new techniques for discriminating astrophysical signatures from those of dark matter, and (ii) by developing detailed foreground models which can explain excess signals and shed light on the underlying astrophysical processes at hand. We concentrate most directly on observations of Galactic gamma and cosmic rays, factoring the discussion into three related parts which each contain significant advancements from our cumulative works. In Part I we introduce concepts which are fundamental to the Indirect Detection of particle dark matter, including motivations, targets, experiments, production of Standard Model particles, and a variety of statistical techniques. In Part II we introduce basic and advanced modelling techniques for propagation of cosmic-rays through the Galaxy and describe astrophysical gamma-ray production, as well as presenting state-of-the-art propagation models of the Milky Way.Finally, in Part III, we employ these models and techniques in order to study several indirect detection signals, including the Fermi GeV excess at the Galactic center, the Fermi 135 GeV line, the 3.5 keV line, and the WMAP-Planck haze.

Handbook of Particle Detection and Imaging

Handbook of Particle Detection and Imaging PDF Author: Claus Grupen
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3642132715
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 1251

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Book Description
The handbook centers on detection techniques in the field of particle physics, medical imaging and related subjects. It is structured into three parts. The first one is dealing with basic ideas of particle detectors, followed by applications of these devices in high energy physics and other fields. In the last part the large field of medical imaging using similar detection techniques is described. The different chapters of the book are written by world experts in their field. Clear instructions on the detection techniques and principles in terms of relevant operation parameters for scientists and graduate students are given.Detailed tables and diagrams will make this a very useful handbook for the application of these techniques in many different fields like physics, medicine, biology and other areas of natural science.

Cosmic Rays and Dark Matter

Cosmic Rays and Dark Matter PDF Author: Yasushi Muraki
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Cosmic rays
Languages : en
Pages : 262

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Book Description


Refined Predictions for Cosmic Rays and Indirect Dark Matter Searches

Refined Predictions for Cosmic Rays and Indirect Dark Matter Searches PDF Author: Yoann Genolini
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
A hundred years ago, pioneering observations of air ionization revealed that the Earth is showered with particles coming from the Galaxy and beyond. Because of their high energies, these particles coined cosmic-rays are still a crucial tool in the field of particle physics, complementary to man-made accelerators. From an astrophysical point of view, the origin of cosmic-rays and the mechanisms which accelerate them are still very poorly known. The present paradigm involves sporadic production associated with the expanding shock waves from dying stars (SNRs).Recent experiments (notably PAMELA and, more recently, AMS-02) are ushering us into a new era of measurements of cosmic-ray fluxes with greatly reduced statistical uncertainties. In this dissertation, we propose and investigate new theoretical refinements of our predictions to fully benefit from these advances.After a general introduction on cosmic-ray physics, we first focus on the so-called primary species which are directly produced by SNRs. In this context of precision measurements, the discreteness of the sources in space and time, together with a substantial ignorance of their precise epochs and locations (with the possible exception of the most recent and close ones) may lead to significant uncertainties in the predictions of the fluxes at the Earth. So far, the conventional approach just relied on average trends. Here, we elaborate a statistical theory in order to compute the probability for the actual flux to depart from its ensemble average. Using the generalized version of the central limit theorem, we demonstrate that the probability distribution function of the flux is intimately related to the source distribution and follows a stable law with a heavier tail than the Gaussian distribution. Our theoretical framework can not only be extended to other cosmic-ray observables, such as the lepton flux, but also can be enriched to include a more comprehensive description of the correlations between the sources. Moreover the method which we have developed may be applied to a variety of problems in physics/astrophysics involving heavy tail distributions.Secondly, we concentrate on secondary CRs, like the boron nuclei, which are thought to be produced only by the collisions of cosmic-rays on the interstellar medium. More precisely, the ratio of the boron to carbon fluxes is a traditional tool used to understand and gauge the propagation of cosmic-rays in the Galaxy. Hence a very precise measurement of this ratio should imply stringent constraints on the propagation scenario. However we show that its theoretical derivation strongly depends on where these secondary species are produced as well as on the chosen set of nuclear cross-sections. Hence we assess at the 20% level the theoretical uncertainties on the so far derived propagation parameters. As new data from AMS-02 were freshly released, we present the starting points of a comprehensive new analysis for which we use the semi-analytical code USINE.Finally these high precision measurements offer new opportunities for a number of astroparticle problems, such as indirect dark matter searches which is the main thrust of the third part of the thesis. Antimatter cosmic rays are thought to be secondary species and their relatively low fluxes make them a channel of choice to look for rare processes such as dark matter annihilation. Nonetheless, the predictions of the expected backgrounds rely on a precise modeling of cosmic-ray propagation and interactions in the Galaxy. We treat them under commonly used simplified assumptions and discuss two studies where we re-evaluate the anti-proton and the positron fluxes in the light of the new AMS-02 data. Then we discuss the implications for dark matter and astrophysical explanations.

Galactic Dark Matter

Galactic Dark Matter PDF Author: Benjamin P. Burch
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 308

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Book Description
The precise phase-space distribution and properties of Galactic dark matter necessary for its direct and indirect detection are currently unknown. Since the distributions of normal and dark matter in the Milky Way are coupled to each other as they both move in the same gravitational potential, constraints on the distribution and properties of dark matter can be derived by studying the distribution of visible matter in the Galaxy and making some general assumptions regarding the phase-space distribution of the dark matter. In this study, the visible components of the Galaxy have been comprehensively reviewed to create an axisymmetric model of the Galaxy that is consistent with the available observations, and the dark matter phase-space distribution is assumed to follow a lowered-isothermal form. Poisson's equations are then solved self-consistently to construct models of the spatial and velocity distribution of Galactic dark matter. The total gravitational potential from normal and dark matter are calculated and compared to the current observations of the rotation curve and to the radial velocity distributions of blue horizontal-branch and blue straggler stars. It is found that this analysis allows for a wide range of parameters for the dark matter. The implications for direct and indirect detection of dark matter are discussed in detail. In the appendices, two additional projects are presented. In Appendix A, the recent observations of the positron fraction and the total electron spectrum in cosmic rays are addressed by considering a nested leaky-box model for the propagation of cosmic rays in the Galaxy. This is found to obviate the need for exotic processes such as the annihilation or decay of dark matter to explain the recent observations. In Appendix B, we discuss a novel dark matter detector involving triggered cavitation in acoustic fields. The theory behind the detector is presented in detail, and we discuss the work than has been done to create a prototype at Washington University.

A Multi-disciplinary Approach to Dark Matter Searches

A Multi-disciplinary Approach to Dark Matter Searches PDF Author: Miguel Figueiredo Vaz Pato
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 185

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Book Description
A large portion of the present Universe is composed of a non-luminous kind of matter, which is intrinsically distinct from ail mass constituents known to exist. The evidence for this so-called Dark Matter spans sub-galactic to cosmological scales, and strongly suggests that it contributes around 80-85% of the matter content in our Universe. Over the past years, numerous experimental results relevant for Dark Matter searches have been released, triggering a great deal of excitement in the field. Moreover, plenty of data are expected in the near future. This thesis aims at linking Dark Matter models and their experimental signatures in current and upcoming detectors. As far as indirect Dark Matter detection is concerned, special attention is paid to the recently reported electron/positron excess in cosmic rays, which can in principle be explained by Dark Matter annihilations in our Galaxy. In order to test this possibility we perform a multi-messenger analysis combining the constraints from different astrophysical channels such as antiprotons, gamma-rays and radio signals. The uncertainties entering the computation of Dark Matter signatures are very significant and ultimately limit our ability to extract the properties of Dark Matter in case of discovery. Therefore, to assess and forecast ail relevant uncertainties is crucial, and a large portion o this thesis is devoted to that topic. In particular, we study the prospects for pinpointing cosmic-ray propagation with AMS-02, the systematic uncertainties regarding the local Dark Matter density and the effect of astrophysical unknowns on direct detection experiments.

Cosmic Ray Physics

Cosmic Ray Physics PDF Author: Veronica Bindi
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 1000850838
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 325

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Book Description
Key features: Complete introductory overview of cosmic ray physics Covers the origins, acceleration, transport mechanisms and detection of these particles Mathematical and technical detail is kept separate from the main text

Exploring Cosmic Ray Mysteries

Exploring Cosmic Ray Mysteries PDF Author: Melissa K. Arnold
Publisher:
ISBN: 9782465789607
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Like in the past cosmic rays (CR) may help us extend our knowledge of Particle Physics. Such a case is the nature of Dark Matter (DM). That question lies in the intersection of particle physics and astrophysics. It involves both questions of particle physics modeling, as well as of production and propagation of cosmic rays.Cold dark matter (CDM) has been established by many evidence as the stan-dard paradigm for the missing matter of the universe. Beginning with early obser-vations of velocity dispersions of galaxies in clusters [358], and later measurements of galactic rotation curves [296, 295], CDM has been supported by numerous ad- ditional observations. These include strong lensing of background galaxies [339], x-ray emission from galaxy clusters [91], the combination of CMB and type Ia supernovae data [313], measurements of the distributions of galaxies [118, 334], as well as the highly remarkable recent study of the bullet cluster [117].Measurements of the CMB, the need for early structure growth, and the success of big-bang nu-cleosynthesis rule out baryonic matter as being the dark matter, necessitating anew particle beyond the standard model.