Small-scale structure of dark matter and microlensing

TL;DR

This paper explores the nature of dark matter objects detected via microlensing, proposing a theory for non-compact non-baryonic dark matter structures and comparing it with observational data.

Contribution

It introduces a new theoretical framework for non-compact dark matter objects in the Galactic halo and analyzes microlensing data in this context.

Findings

Microlensing suggests dark matter objects range from 0.05 to 0.8 solar masses.

The theory accounts for non-compact, non-baryonic dark matter structures.

Comparison with observations supports the existence of small-scale dark matter formations.

Abstract

It has been revealed using microlensing that a considerable part, possibly more than half, of the dark matter in the halo of our Galaxy consists of objects with a mass spectrum ranging from 0.05 to 0.8 of the solar mass. What is the nature of these objects? There exist two hypotheses. According to one, these are Jupiter type planets or small stars (brown and white dwarfs) consisting of normal baryonic matter. According to the other, these are non-compact objects, i.e., small-scale formations in non-baryonic dark matter. Here, a theory is proposed describing the possibility of the existence of non-compact objects in the halo of our Galaxy, their structure and formation from non-baryonic matter. The theory of microlensing on compact and non-compact objects is considered in detail. The results of microlensing observations are described and compared with theory. Possible astrophysical manifestations of the presence of small-scale structure are pointed out. The field is being extensively studied and is of fundamental interest for cosmology and astrophysics.