Super-exponential cutoff as a probe of annihilating dark matter

TL;DR

This paper explores whether a super-exponential spectral shape can better fit gamma-ray data from dark matter annihilation at the Galactic Center, especially for certain particle channels, using simulated data from multiple experiments.

Contribution

It introduces the use of a super-exponential template to analyze gamma-ray spectra and assesses its effectiveness with mock data for current and future experiments.

Findings

Super-exponential templates fit gamma-ray spectra better for certain dark matter channels.

Preference for super-exponential shape is strongest for tau+tau- and mu+mu- channels.

Simulations suggest this method can distinguish annihilation channels with future data.

Abstract

We investigate the possibility of fitting the putative spectrum of gamma-rays from annihilating dark matter at the Galactic Center by a super-exponential template. By generating and analyzing mock data for several ongoing and future experiments (HESS, CTA and DMA), we find that the preference for a super-exponential template (over an exponential) is especially strong for dark matter annihilating to $\tau^+\tau^-$ and $\mu^+\mu^-$ relative to other annihilation channels.