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Author Blas, D.; Witte, S.J.
Title Imprints of axion superradiance in the CMB Type Journal Article
Year 2020 Publication Physical Review D Abbreviated Journal Phys. Rev. D
Volume 102 Issue (up) 10 Pages 103018 - 10pp
Keywords
Abstract Light axions (m(a) less than or similar to 10(-10) eV) can form dense clouds around rapidly rotating astrophysical black holes via a mechanism known as rotational superradiance. The coupling between axions and photons induces a parametric resonance, arising from the stimulated decay of the axion cloud, which can rapidly convert regions of large axion number densities into an enormous flux of low-energy photons. In this work we consider the phenomenological implications of a superradiant axion cloud undergoing resonant decay. We show that the low-energy photons produced from such events will be absorbed over cosmologically short distances, potentially inducing massive shockwaves that heat and ionize the intergalactic medium over Mpc scales. These shockwaves may leave observable imprints in the form of anisotropic spectral distortions or inhomogeneous features in the optical depth.
Address [Blas, Diego] Kings Coll London, Dept Phys, Theoret Particle Phys & Cosmol Grp, London WC2R 2LS, England, Email: diego.blas@kcl.ac.uk;
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Amer Physical Soc Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2470-0010 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes WOS:000589606900004 Approved no
Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes
Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 4609
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Escudero, M.; Witte, S.J.; Hooper, D.
Title Hidden sector dark matter and the Galactic Center gamma-ray excess: a closer look Type Journal Article
Year 2017 Publication Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics Abbreviated Journal J. Cosmol. Astropart. Phys.
Volume 11 Issue (up) 11 Pages 042 - 29pp
Keywords dark matter experiments; dark matter theory
Abstract Stringent constraints from direct detection experiments and the Large Hadron Collider motivate us to consider models in which the dark matter does not directly couple to the Standard Model, but that instead annihilates into hidden sector particles which ultimately decay through small couplings to the Standard Model. We calculate the gamma-ray emission generated within the context of several such hidden sector models, including those in which the hidden sector couples to the Standard Model through the vector portal (kinetic mixing with Standard Model hypercharge), through the Higgs portal (mixing with the Standard Model Higgs boson), or both. In each case, we identify broad regions of parameter space in which the observed spectrum and intensity of the Galactic Center gamma-ray excess can easily be accommodated, while providing an acceptable thermal relic abundance and remaining consistent with all current constraints. We also point out that cosmic-ray antiproton measurements could potentially discriminate some hidden sector models from more conventional dark matter scenarios.
Address [Escudero, Miguel; Witte, Samuel J.] Univ Valencia, CSIC, Inst Fis Corpuscular IFIC, Apartado Correos 22085, E-46071 Valencia, Spain, Email: miguel.escudero@ific.uv.es;
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Iop Publishing Ltd Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1475-7516 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes WOS:000417561900005 Approved no
Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes
Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 3412
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Blanco, C.; Escudero, M.; Hooper, D.; Witte, S.J.
Title Z ' mediated WIMPs: dead, dying, or soon to be detected? Type Journal Article
Year 2019 Publication Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics Abbreviated Journal J. Cosmol. Astropart. Phys.
Volume 11 Issue (up) 11 Pages 024 - 48pp
Keywords dark matter theory; dark matter detectors; dark matter experiments
Abstract Although weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) have long been among the most studied and theoretically attractive classes of candidates for the dark matter of our universe, the lack of their detection in direct detection and collider experiments has begun to dampen enthusiasm for this paradigm. In this study, we set out to appraise the status of the WIMP paradigm, focusing on the case of dark matter candidates that interact with the Standard Model through a new gauge boson. After considering a wide range of Z' mediated dark matter models, we quantitatively evaluate the fraction of the parameter space that has been excluded by existing experiments, and that is projected to fall within the reach of future direct detection experiments. Despite the existence of stringent constraints, we find that a sizable fraction of this parameter space remains viable. More specifically, if the dark matter is a Majorana fermion, we find that an order one fraction of the parameter space is in many cases untested by current experiments. Future direct detection experiments with sensitivity near the irreducible neutrino floor will be able to test a significant fraction of the currently viable parameter space, providing considerable motivation for the next generation of direct detection experiments.
Address [Blanco, Carlos] Univ Chicago, Dept Phys, Chicago, IL 60637 USA, Email: carlosblanco2718@uchicago.ed;
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Iop Publishing Ltd Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1475-7516 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes WOS:000507259700021 Approved no
Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes
Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 4255
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Muñoz, V.; Takhistov, V.; Witte, S.J.; Fuller, G.M.
Title Exploring the origin of supermassive black holes with coherent neutrino scattering Type Journal Article
Year 2021 Publication Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics Abbreviated Journal J. Cosmol. Astropart. Phys.
Volume 11 Issue (up) 11 Pages 020 - 16pp
Keywords dark matter detectors; massive stars; neutrino astronomy; neutrino detectors
Abstract Collapsing supermassive stars (M greater than or similar to 3 x 10(4) M-circle dot) at high redshifts can naturally provide seeds and explain the origin of the supermassive black holes observed in the centers of nearly all galaxies. During the collapse of supermassive stars, a burst of non-thermal neutrinos is generated with a luminosity that could greatly exceed that of a conventional core collapse supernova explosion. In this work, we investigate the extent to which the neutrinos produced in these explosions can be observed via coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CEvNS). Large scale direct dark matter detection experiments provide particularly favorable targets. We find that upcoming O(100) tonne-scale experiments will be sensitive to the collapse of individual supermassive stars at distances as large as O(10) Mpc.
Address [Munoz, Victor; Witte, Samuel J.] Univ Valencia, CSIC, Inst Fis Corpuscular IFIC, Apartado Correos 22085, E-46071 Valencia, Spain, Email: victor.manuel.munoz@ific.uv.es;
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher IOP Publishing Ltd Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1475-7516 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes WOS:000765985200009 Approved no
Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes
Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 5159
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Gelmini, G.B.; Huh, J.H.; Witte, S.J.
Title Unified halo-independent formalism from convex hulls for direct dark matter searches Type Journal Article
Year 2017 Publication Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics Abbreviated Journal J. Cosmol. Astropart. Phys.
Volume 12 Issue (up) 12 Pages 039 - 33pp
Keywords dark matter experiments; dark matter theory
Abstract Using the Fenchel-Eggleston theorem for convex hulls (an extension of the Caratheodory theorem), we prove that any likelihood can be maximized by either a dark matter 1-speed distribution F(v) in Earth's frame or 2-Galactic velocity distribution f(gal) ((u) over right arrow), consisting of a sum of delta functions. The former case applies only to time-averaged rate measurements and the maximum number of delta functions is (N-1), where N is the total number of data entries. The second case applies to any harmonic expansion coefficient of the time-dependent rate and the maximum number of terms is N. Using time-averaged rates, the aforementioned form of F(v) results in a piecewise constant unmodulated halo function (eta) over tilde (BF)-B-0 (v(min)) (which is an integral of the speed distribution) with at most (N-1) downward steps. The authors had previously proven this result for likelihoods comprised of at least one extended likelihood, and found the best-fit halo function to be unique. This uniqueness, however, cannot be guaranteed in the more general analysis applied to arbitrary likelihoods. Thus we introduce a method for determining whether there exists a unique best-fit halo function, and provide a procedure for constructing either a pointwise con fi dence band, if the best-fit halo function is unique, or a degeneracy band, if it is not. Using measurements of modulation amplitudes, the aforementioned form of f(gal) ((u) over right arrow), which is a sum of Galactic streams, yields a periodic time-dependent halo function (eta) over right arrow BF (v(min); t) which at any fixed time is a piecewise constant function of v(min) with at most N downward steps. In this case, we explain how to construct pointwise confidence and degeneracy bands from the time-averaged halo function. Finally, we show that requiring an isotropic Galactic velocity distribution leads to a Galactic speed distribution F(u)that is once again a sum of delta functions, and produces a time-dependent (eta) over tilde BF (v(min); t) function (and a time-averaged (eta) over tilde (0) BF (v(min))) that is piecewise linear, di ff ering significantly from best-fit halo functions obtained without the assumption of isotropy.
Address [Gelmini, Graciela B.; Witte, Samuel J.] Univ Calif Los Angeles, Dept Phys & Astron, 475 Portola Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA, Email: gelmini@physics.ucla.edu;
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Iop Publishing Ltd Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1475-7516 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes WOS:000418922000002 Approved no
Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes
Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 3440
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Blas, D.; Witte, S.J.
Title Quenching mechanisms of photon superradiance Type Journal Article
Year 2020 Publication Physical Review D Abbreviated Journal Phys. Rev. D
Volume 102 Issue (up) 12 Pages 123018 - 10pp
Keywords
Abstract Rapidly rotating black holes are known to develop instabilities in the presence of a sufficiently light boson, a process which becomes efficient when the boson's Compton wavelength is roughly the size of the black hole. This phenomenon known as black hole superradiance generates an exponentially growing boson cloud at the expense of the rotational energy of the black hole. For astrophysical black holes with M similar to O(10)M-circle dot, the superradiant condition is achieved for bosons with m(b) similar to O(10(-11))eV; intriguingly, photons traversing the intergalactic medium acquire an effective mass (due to their interactions with the ambient plasma) which naturally resides in this range. The implications of photon superradiance, i.e., the evolution of the superradiant photon cloud and ambient plasma in the presence of scattering and particle production processes, have yet to be thoroughly investigated. Here, we enumerate and discuss a number of different processes capable of quenching the growth of the photon cloud, including particle interactions with the ambient electrons and backreactions on the effective mass (arising e.g., from thermal effects, pair production, ionization of the local background, and modifications to the dispersion relation from strong electric fields). This work naturally serves as a guide in understanding how interactions may allow light exotic bosons to evade superradiant constraints.
Address [Blas, Diego] Kings Coll London, Dept Phys, Theoret Particle Phys & Cosmol Grp, London WC2R 2LS, England, Email: diego.blas@kcl.ac.uk;
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Amer Physical Soc Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2470-0010 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes WOS:000599093100002 Approved no
Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes
Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 4666
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Escudero, M.; Hooper, D.; Witte, S.J.
Title Updated collider and direct detection constraints on Dark Matter models for the Galactic Center gamma-ray excess Type Journal Article
Year 2017 Publication Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics Abbreviated Journal J. Cosmol. Astropart. Phys.
Volume 02 Issue (up) 2 Pages 038 - 21pp
Keywords dark matter experiments; dark matter theory
Abstract Utilizing an exhaustive set of simplified models, we revisit dark matter scenarios potentially capable of generating the observed Galactic Center gamma-ray excess, updating constraints from the LUX and PandaX- II experiments, as well as from the LHC and other colliders. We identify a variety of pseudoscalar mediated models that remain consistent with all constraints. In contrast, dark matter candidates which annihilate through a spin-1 mediator are ruled out by direct detection constraints unless the mass of the mediator is near an annihilation resonance, or the mediator has a purely vector coupling to the dark matter and a purely axial coupling to Standard Model fermions. All scenarios in which the dark matter annihilates throught-channel processes are now ruled out by a combination of the constraints from LUX/ PandaX-II and the LHC.
Address [Escudero, Miguel] Univ Valencia, CSIC, Inst Fis Corpuscular IFIC, Apartado Correos 22085, E-46071 Valencia, Spain, Email: miguel.escudero@ific.uv.es;
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Iop Publishing Ltd Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1475-7516 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes WOS:000399455000038 Approved no
Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes
Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 3079
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Caputo, A.; Regis, M.; Taoso, M.; Witte, S.J.
Title Detecting the stimulated decay of axions at radio frequencies Type Journal Article
Year 2019 Publication Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics Abbreviated Journal J. Cosmol. Astropart. Phys.
Volume 03 Issue (up) 3 Pages 027 - 22pp
Keywords axions; dark matter theory; dark matter detectors; dwarfs galaxies
Abstract Assuming axion-like particles account for the entirety of the dark matter in the Universe, we study the possibility of detecting their decay into photons at radio frequencies. We discuss different astrophysical targets, such as dwarf spheroidal galaxies, the Galactic Center and halo, and galaxy clusters. The presence of an ambient radiation field leads to a stimulated enhancement of the decay rate; depending on the environment and the mass of the axion, the effect of stimulated emission may amplify the photon flux by serval orders of magnitude. For axion-photon couplings allowed by astrophysical and laboratory constraints (and possibly favored by stellar cooling), we find the signal to be within the reach of next-generation radio telescopes such as the Square Kilometer Array.
Address [Caputo, Andrea; Witte, Samuel J.] Univ Valencia, CSIC, Inst Fis Corpuscular, Apartado Correos 22085, E-46071 Valencia, Spain, Email: andrea0292@hotmail.it;
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Iop Publishing Ltd Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1475-7516 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes WOS:000461450100002 Approved no
Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes
Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 3944
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Mena, O.; Palomares-Ruiz, S.; Villanueva-Domingo, P.; Witte, S.J.
Title Constraining the primordial black hole abundance with 21-cm cosmology Type Journal Article
Year 2019 Publication Physical Review D Abbreviated Journal Phys. Rev. D
Volume 100 Issue (up) 4 Pages 043540 - 23pp
Keywords
Abstract The discoveries of a number of binary black hole mergers by LIGO and VIRGO have reinvigorated the interest that primordial black holes (PBHs) of tens of solar masses could contribute non-negligibly to the dark matter energy density. Should even a small population of PBHs with masses greater than or similar to O(M-circle dot) exist, they could profoundly impact the properties of the intergalactic medium and provide insight into novel processes at work in the early Universe. We demonstrate here that observations of the 21-cm transition in neutral hydrogen during the epochs of reionization and cosmic dawn will likely provide one of the most stringent tests of solar mass PBHs. In the context of 21-cm cosmology, PBHs give rise to three distinct observable effects: (i) the modification to the primordial power spectrum (and thus also the halo mass function) induced by Poisson noise, (ii) a uniform heating and ionization of the intergalactic medium via x-rays produced during accretion, and (iii) a local modification to the temperature and density of the ambient medium surrounding isolated PBHs. Using a four-parameter astrophysical model, we show that experiments like SKA and HERA could potentially improve upon existing constraints derived using observations of the cosmic microwave background by more than 1 order of magnitude.
Address [Mena, Olga; Palomares-Ruiz, Sergio; Villanueva-Domingo, Pablo; Witte, Samuel J.] Univ Valencia, CSIC, Inst Fis Corpuscular IFIC, Apartado Correos 22085, E-46071 Valencia, Spain
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Amer Physical Soc Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2470-0010 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes WOS:000483047300003 Approved no
Is ISI yes International Collaboration no
Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 4122
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Raj, N.; Takhistov, V.; Witte, S.J.
Title Presupernova neutrinos in large dark matter direct detection experiments Type Journal Article
Year 2020 Publication Physical Review D Abbreviated Journal Phys. Rev. D
Volume 101 Issue (up) 4 Pages 043008 - 10pp
Keywords
Abstract The next Galactic core-collapse supernova (SN) is a highly anticipated observational target for neutrino telescopes. However, even prior to collapse, massive dying stars shine copiously in “pre-supernova” (pre-SN) neutrinos, which can potentially act as efficient SN warning alarms and provide novel information about the very last stages of stellar evolution. We explore the sensitivity to pre-SN neutrinos of large-scale direct dark matter detection experiments, which, unlike dedicated neutrino telescopes, take full advantage of coherent neutrino-nucleus scattering. We find that argon-based detectors with target masses of O(100)tons (i.e., comparable in size to the proposed ARGO experiment) operating at sub-keV thresholds can detect O(10-100) pre-SN neutrinos coming from a source at a characteristic distance of similar to 200 pc, such as Betelgeuse (alpha Orionis). Large-scale xenon-based experiments with similarly low thresholds could also be sensitive to pre-SN neutrinos. For a Betelgeuse-type source, large-scale dark matter experiments could provide a SN warning siren similar to 10 hours prior to the explosion. We also comment on the complementarity of large-scale direct dark matter detection experiments and neutrino telescopes in the understanding of core-collapse SN.
Address [Raj, Nirmal] TRIUMF, 4004 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 2A3, Canada, Email: nraj@triumf.ca;
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Amer Physical Soc Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2470-0010 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes WOS:000513575900001 Approved no
Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes
Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 4285
Permanent link to this record