Scalar-field theory of dark matter

TL;DR

This paper proposes a scalar-field superfluid model for dark matter and dark energy, explaining galactic halos, collisions, and vortices through nonlinear Klein-Gordon dynamics.

Contribution

It introduces a novel scalar-field superfluid framework linking dark matter and dark energy, with detailed galaxy interaction modeling.

Findings

Superfluid response explains galactic halos.

Vortex formation occurs during galaxy rotation.

Galactic collisions cause superfluid contortions.

Abstract

We develop a theory of dark matter based on a previously proposed picture, in which a complex vacuum scalar field makes the universe a superfluid, with the energy density of the superfluid giving rise to dark energy, and variations from vacuum density giving rise to dark matter. We formulate a nonlinear Klein-Gordon equation to describe the superfluid, treating galaxies as external sources. We study the response of the superfluid to the galaxies, in particular, the emergence of the dark-matter galactic halo, contortions during galaxy collisions, and the creation of vortices due to galactic rotation.