Challenges in Binary Pulsar Timing Detection of Dark Matter Subhalos

TL;DR

Binary pulsar timing offers a method to detect nearby dark matter subhalos, but current data and models suggest detection is highly unlikely, especially for subhalos under 10^8 solar masses.

Contribution

The paper develops a comprehensive analytical framework for assessing the detectability of dark matter subhalos via binary pulsar timing, incorporating various astrophysical factors.

Findings

Very low probability (≤1.6×10⁻⁴) of detecting subhalos within current data.

No significant excess in line-of-sight accelerations observed.

Detection prospects remain low even with future SKA observations.

Abstract

Recently, binary pulsar timing has been proposed as a viable probe of dark matter subhalos with masses of $\sim 10^7\,M_{\odot}$ in the solar neighborhood. We present a comprehensive analytical framework that incorporates the subhalo mass function, projection effects of line-of-sight acceleration, and the spatiotemporal geometric requirements for joint detection by binary systems, enabling a quantitative evaluation of the detectability of nearby subhalos. Applying this framework to the current binary pulsar sample, we find a probability $\leq 1.6 \times 10^{-4}$ of detecting at least one subhalo within the effective volume. An independent timing residual analysis shows no statistically significant excess in line-of-sight accelerations beyond predictions from data-driven Galactic gravitational potential models. These results place stringent constraints on detecting $<10^8~M_{\odot}$ dark matter subhalos with existing pulsar timing data, aligning with the theoretical expectation that such subhalos have a low survival probability in the solar neighborhood. A low detection prospect still holds even for future Square Kilometre Array observations.