Probing cold dark matter cusps by gravitational lensing

V. K. Onemli*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

I elaborate on my prediction that an indirect detection of cold dark matter (CDM) may be possible by observing the gravitational lensing effects of the CDM cusp caustics at cosmological distances. Cusps in the distribution of CDM are plentiful once density perturbations enter the nonlinear regime. Caustic Ring Model of galactic halos provides a well-defined density profile and a geometry near the cusps of the caustic rings. I calculate the lensing effects in this model. As a point-like background source passes behind a cusp of a cosmological foreground halo, the magnification in its image may be detected by present instruments. Depending on the strength of detected effect and the time scale of brightness change, it may even be possible to discriminate between the CDM candidates: axions and weakly interacting massive particles.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2059-2073
Number of pages15
JournalInternational Journal of Modern Physics D
Volume15
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2006
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Cusp caustics
  • Dark matter
  • Gravitational lensing

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