Dark Matter Interactions with Sun-like Celestial Bodies An Exploration of How Sub-GeV Dark Matter Could Interact with Solar-like Media Through Linear Response Theory
Typ
Examensarbete för masterexamen
Master's Thesis
Master's Thesis
Program
Physics (MPPHS), MSc
Publicerad
2024
Författare
Strandlycke, Gustav
Modellbyggare
Tidskriftstitel
ISSN
Volymtitel
Utgivare
Sammanfattning
One interesting avenue in the search for dark matter is the possibility of dark mat ter interacting with celestial bodies, like our Sun, in such a way that the effects
can be detected here on Earth. The purpose of this thesis is to investigate how
sub-GeV Dirac-type dark matter particles could interact with the electrons in the
Sun via a heavy dark photon. This study also aims to account for the surrounding
medium and its effects on these scattering rates, Γ, through in-medium effects using
the framework of linear response theory, specifically the density-density response
function, χρρ. The impact of the medium will be demonstrated by comparing the
scattering rates calculated through linear response theory to those calculated with out considering the medium. Using these calculated scattering rates, in both the
heavy and light mediator limits, the resulting dark matter capture rates, C, inside
the Sun, for various dark matter masses, mχ, and dark matter-electron reference
cross sections, σ¯e, are calculated. Furthermore, the calculated scattering rates are
applied to the phenomenon of solar dark matter reflection where in-medium effects
are also demonstrated to be of some importance.
Beskrivning
Ämne/nyckelord
dark matter, dark photon, sub-GeV, in-medium effects, linear response theory, scattering rates, dark matter capture, dark matter reflection