High Energy Electron Signals from Dark Matter Annihilation in the Sun

TL;DR

This paper explores mechanisms by which high-energy electrons from dark matter annihilation in the Sun could reach Earth, proposing tests with Fermi data to identify potential dark matter signals.

Contribution

It introduces new mechanisms for electron escape from the Sun due to dark matter interactions and suggests observational tests with existing data.

Findings

Electrons can escape the Sun via long-lived states or inelastic scattering.

Localized electron sources could alter observed spectra depending on detector field of view.

Proposes a sensitive test using Fermi data to detect dark matter signatures.

Abstract

In this paper we discuss two mechanisms by which high energy electrons resulting from dark matter annihilations in or near the Sun can arrive at the Earth. Specifically, electrons can escape the sun if DM annihilates into long-lived states, or if dark matter scatters inelastically, which would leave a halo of dark matter outside of the sun. Such a localized source of electrons may affect the spectra observed by experiments with narrower fields of view oriented towards the sun, such as ATIC, differently from those with larger fields of view such as Fermi. We suggest a simple test of these possibilities with existing Fermi data that is more sensitive than limits from final state radiation. If observed, such a signal will constitute an unequivocal signature of dark matter.