Snowmass2021 Cosmic Frontier White Paper: Dark Matter Physics from Halo Measurements

TL;DR

This white paper discusses how measurements of dark matter halos, such as their abundance and shape, can reveal fundamental properties of dark matter particles, advancing both theoretical and experimental research.

Contribution

It summarizes recent developments and new opportunities in using dark matter halo observations to probe dark matter physics.

Findings

Halo properties relate to dark matter particle physics

New measurement techniques are emerging

Theoretical models are rapidly evolving

Abstract

The non-linear process of cosmic structure formation produces gravitationally bound overdensities of dark matter known as halos. The abundances, density profiles, ellipticities, and spins of these halos can be tied to the underlying fundamental particle physics that governs dark matter at microscopic scales. Thus, macroscopic measurements of dark matter halos offer a unique opportunity to determine the underlying properties of dark matter across the vast landscape of dark matter theories. This white paper summarizes the ongoing rapid development of theoretical and experimental methods, as well as new opportunities, to use dark matter halo measurements as a pillar of dark matter physics.