New constraints on the dark matter-neutrino and dark matter-photon scattering cross sections from TXS 0506+056

TL;DR

This paper uses high-energy neutrino and gamma-ray observations from TXS 0506+056 to set new, more stringent limits on dark matter interactions with neutrinos and photons, surpassing previous constraints from other cosmic observations.

Contribution

The study introduces novel constraints on dark matter-neutrino and dark matter-photon scattering cross sections using astrophysical data from a blazar, improving upon prior bounds from intergalactic and cosmic microwave background analyses.

Findings

Constraints are orders of magnitude more stringent than previous bounds.

Limits are stronger when cross-section increases with energy.

Results surpass those derived from CMB and large-scale structure data.

Abstract

The flux of high energy neutrinos and photons produced in a blazar could get attenuated when they propagate through the dark matter spike around the central black hole and the halo of the host galaxy. Using the observation by IceCube of a few high-energy neutrino events from TXS 0506+056, and their coincident gamma ray events, we obtain new constraints on the dark matter-neutrino and dark matter-photon scattering cross sections. Our constraints are orders of magnitude more stringent than those derived from considering the attenuation through the intergalactic medium and the Milky Way dark matter halo. When the cross-section increases with energy, our constraints are also stronger than those derived from the CMB and large-scale structure.