Finding new signature effects on galactic dynamics to constrain Bose-Einstein-condensed cold dark matter

TL;DR

This paper explores how Bose-Einstein-condensed cold dark matter could produce unique galactic signatures, helping to distinguish it from standard CDM and constrain particle properties through astrophysical observations.

Contribution

It introduces potential observable effects of BEC-CDM on galactic dynamics and derives bounds on particle mass and self-interaction strength from galaxy data.

Findings

Potential signature effects on galactic halos.

Constraints on particle mass from galaxy observations.

Limits on self-interaction coupling strength.

Abstract

If cosmological cold dark matter (CDM) consists of light enough bosonic particles that their phase-space density exceeds unity, they will comprise a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC). The nature of this BEC-CDM as a quantum fluid may then distinguish it dynamically from the standard form of CDM involving a collisionless gas of non-relativistic particles that interact purely gravitationally. We summarize some of the dynamical properties of BEC-CDM that may lead to observable signatures in galactic halos and present some of the bounds on particle mass and self-interaction coupling strength that result from a comparison with observed galaxies.