Probing Self-interacting Dark Matter with Disk Galaxies in Cluster Environments

TL;DR

This paper uses numerical simulations to explore how self-interacting dark matter affects the shape and stability of disk galaxies in clusters, revealing observable distortions that could test dark matter models.

Contribution

It demonstrates the impact of SIDM on galaxy morphology in cluster environments through detailed simulations, highlighting observable signatures like warps and asymmetries.

Findings

Dark matter interactions cause observable disk distortions.

Anisotropic scattering cross-sections lead to warps and thickening.

Simulations suggest potential for observational tests of SIDM.

Abstract

Self-Interacting Dark Matter (SIDM) has long been proposed as a solution to small scale problems posed by standard Cold Dark Matter (CDM). We use numerical simulations to study the effect of dark matter interactions on the morphology of disk galaxies falling into galaxy clusters. The effective drag force on dark matter leads to offsets of the stellar disk with respect to the surrounding halo, causing distortions in the disk. For anisotropic scattering cross-sections of 0.5 and 1.0$\,\textrm{cm}^{2}\textrm{g}^{-1}$, we show that potentially observable warps, asymmetries, and thickening of the disk occur in simulations. We discuss observational tests of SIDM with galaxy surveys and more realistic simulations needed to obtain detailed predictions.