Phase-Space Distributions of Galactic Dark Matter Halos and Implications for Detection

<p>This work focuses on models of galactic dark matter halos and observational prospects. We investigate the impact of careful computation of the phase-space density and velocity distribution of weakly-interacting massive particles, a major class of dark matter particle candidates, in the Milky Way. In particular, the possibility of a non-trivial velocity-dependence in the self-annihilation cross-section from the Sommerfeld effect is considered in indirect detection; we derive an upper limit on the local velocity dispersion and examine the significance of local anisotropy in the local dark matter distribution in direct detection efforts.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Physics

Year dc:date.available

2014

Author dc:creator

• Hunter, Daniel Robert

Contributors dc:contributor

• Francesc Ferrer

• dark matter
• galactic dynamics
• Sommerfeld
• statistical mechanics
• supersymmetry
• WIMPs

Language dc:language

English (en)

DOI

https://doi.org/10.7936/K71J97VK

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:openscholarship.wustl.edu:etd-2309