Ultralight Thomas-Fermi dark matter
Open Access Publications from the University of California

Ultralight Thomas-Fermi dark matter

• Author(s): Pal, K
• Sales, LV
• Wudka, J
• et al.

Published Web Location

https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.100.083007
Abstract

We investigate the viability of a simple dark matter (DM) model consisting of a single fermion in the context of galactic dynamics. We use a consistent approach that does not presume a particular DM density profile but instead requires that the DM+baryon system is in hydrostatic equilibrium. Using a phenomenological baryon density profile, the model then predicts the DM distribution with a core like behavior close to the galactic center. The presence of supermassive black holes (SMBHs) in the center of large galaxies arises naturally in this framework. Using data from a set of large elliptical and spiral galaxies, and from a small set of dwarf galaxies, we find that the model can explain most of the bulk galactic properties, as well as some of the features observed in the rotation curves, provided the DM mass is in the $\mathcal{O}$(50 eV) range. More precise tests of the model require better modeling of the baryon profile and better control on the uncertainties in the data.

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