The Effect of Dark Matter on the First Stars: A New Phase of Stellar Evolution

TL;DR

This paper explores how dark matter annihilation could significantly influence the formation and evolution of the first stars, potentially creating a new stellar phase called 'dark stars' powered by dark matter rather than nuclear fusion.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of dark matter-powered 'dark stars' as a new phase in stellar evolution, challenging existing models of early star formation.

Findings

Dark matter annihilation can inhibit star formation by heating protostellar halos.

Dark stars could be larger than 1 AU and powered by dark matter annihilation.

Detection methods for dark stars are discussed.

Abstract

Dark matter (DM) in protostellar halos can dramatically alter the current theoretical framework for the formation of the first stars. Heat from supersymmetric DM annihilation can overwhelm any cooling mechanism, consequently impeding the star formation process and possibly leading to a new stellar phase. The first stars to form in the universe may be ``dark stars''; i.e., giant (larger than 1 AU) hydrogen-helium stars powered by DM annihilation instead of nuclear fusion. Possibilities for detecting dark stars are discussed.