Assuming that the positron excess in PAMELA satellite data is a consequence of annihilations of cold dark matter, we consider from a model-independent perspective if the data show a preference for the spin of dark matter. We then perform a general analysis of annihilations into two-body final states to determine what weighted combination of channels best describes the data.
We analyze new diffuse gamma-ray data from the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, which do not confirm an excess in the EGRET data at galactic mid-latitudes, in combination with measurements of electron and positron fuxes from PAMELA, Fermi and HESS within the context of three possible sources: dark matter (DM) annihilation or decay into charged leptons, and a continuum distribution of pulsars. We allow for variations in the backgrounds, consider several DM halo profiles, and account for systematic uncertainties in data where possible. We find that all three scenarios represent the data well. The pulsar description holds for a wide range of injection energy spectra. We compare with ATIC data and the WMAP haze where appropriate, but do not fit these data since the former are discrepant with Fermi data and the latter are subject to large systematic uncertainties. We show that for cusped halo profiles, Fermi could observe a spectacular gamma-ray signal of DM annihilation from the galactic center while seeing no excess at mid-latitudes.
Recently PAMELA released their first results on the positron and antiproton ratios. Stimulated by the new data, we studied the cosmic ray propagation models and calculated the secondary positron and antiproton spectra. The low energy positron ratio can be consistent with data in the convection propagation model. Above $sim 10$ GeV PAMELA data shows a clear excess on the positron ratio. However, the secondary antiproton is roughly consistent with data. The positron excess may be a direct evidence of dark matter annihilation or decay. We compare the positron and anti-proton spectra with data by assuming dark matter annihilates or decays into different final states. The PAMELA data actually excludes quark pairs being the main final states, disfavors gauge boson final states. Only in the case of leptonic final states the positron and anti-proton spectra can be explained simultaneously. We also compare the decaying and annihilating dark matter scenarios to account for the PAMELA results and prefer to the decaying dark matter. Finally we consider a decaying neutralino dark matter model in the frame of supersymmetry with R-parity violation. The PAMELA data is well fitted with neutralino mass $600sim 2000$ GeV and life time $sim 10^{26}$ seconds. We also demonstrate that neutralino with mass around 2TeV can fit PAMELA and ATIC data simultaneously.
If dark matter (DM) annihilation accounts for the tantalizing excess of cosmic ray electron/positrons, as reported by the PAMELA, ATIC, HESS and FERMI observatories, then the implied annihilation cross section must be relatively large. This results, in the context of standard cosmological models, in very small relic DM abundances that are incompatible with astrophysical observations. We explore possible resolutions to this apparent conflict in terms of non-standard cosmological scenarios; plausibly allowing for large cross sections, while maintaining relic abundances in accord with current observations.
We propose a novel thermal production mechanism for dark matter based on the idea that dark matter particles $chi$ can transform (`infect) heat bath particles $psi$: $chi psi rightarrow chi chi$. For a small initial abundance of $chi$ this induces an exponential growth in the dark matter number density, closely resembling the epidemic curves of a spreading pathogen after an initial outbreak. To quantify this relation we present a sharp duality between the Boltzmann equation for the dark matter number density and epidemiological models for the spread of infectious diseases. Finally we demonstrate that the exponential growth naturally stops before $chi$ thermalizes with the heat bath, corresponding to a triumphant `flattening of the curve that matches the observed dark matter abundance.
We review sterile neutrinos as possible Dark Matter candidates. After a short summary on the role of neutrinos in cosmology and particle physics, we give a comprehensive overview of the current status of the research on sterile neutrino Dark Matter. First we discuss the motivation and limits obtained through astrophysical observations. Second, we review different mechanisms of how sterile neutrino Dark Matter could have been produced in the early universe. Finally, we outline a selection of future laboratory searches for keV-scale sterile neutrinos, highlighting their experimental challenges and discovery potential.