Robust Constraints on Dark Matter Annihilation into Gamma Rays and Charged Particles

TL;DR

This paper derives conservative upper limits on dark matter annihilation cross sections into gamma rays and charged particles using gamma-ray observations from the Milky Way, Andromeda, and cosmic background, considering various final states and spectra.

Contribution

It provides new, robust constraints on dark matter annihilation cross sections across a wide mass range, accounting for different annihilation channels and astrophysical uncertainties.

Findings

Upper limits on gamma-ray line emission from dark matter annihilation.

Constraints on electron-positron pair production via internal bremsstrahlung.

Bounds on annihilation into charged leptons.

Abstract

Using gamma-ray data from observations of the Milky Way, Andromeda (M31), and the cosmic background, we calculate conservative upper limits on the dark matter self-annihilation cross section to a number of final states, over a wide range of dark matter masses. We first constrain annihilation to a pair of monoenergetic gamma rays, and show that in general our results are unchanged for a broader annihilation spectrum, if at least a few gamma rays are produced with energies within a factor of a few from the dark matter mass. We then place constraints on the self-annihilation cross section to an electron-positron pair, using gamma rays produced via internal bremsstrahlung radiative corrections. We also place constraints on annihilation into the other charged leptons. We make conservative assumptions about the astrophysical inputs, and demonstrate how our derived bounds would be strengthened if stronger assumptions about these inputs are adopted.