A new model for dark matter - Phys.org

Astronomers inferred its location by analyzing the effect of gravitational lensing, where light from galaxies behind Abell 1689 is distorted by intervening matter within the cluster.

They superimposed a map of these inferred dark matter concentrations, tinted blue, on an image of the cluster taken by Hubble's Advanced Camera for Surveys.

However, our HYPER model illustrates that a phase transition can actually help make the dark matter more easily detectable," said Elor, a postdoctoral researcher in theoretical physics at JGU.

Constraints in the mediator mass-nucleon coupling plane from cooling of HB stars [25] and SN 1987A [12], as well as rare kaon decays [26] (gray shading).

Specifically, the research team first considered the maximum cross section of the mediator-mediated interaction with the protons and neutrons of an atomic nucleus to be consistent with astrophysical observations and certain particle-physics decays.

More information: Gilly Elor et al, Maximizing Direct Detection with Highly Interactive Particle Relic Dark Matter, Physical Review Letters(2023).