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Soliton Random Walk and the Cluster-Stripping Problem in Ultralight Dark Matter
Hsi-Yu Schive1,2,3, Tzihong Chiueh1,2,3, Tom Broadhurst4,5,6
1Department of Physics, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan.
Physical Review Letters
|June 6, 2020
Summary
Ultralight bosonic dark matter solitons exhibit wavelike structures and undergo random walks. This motion can disrupt star clusters like Eridanus II
Area of Science:
- Astrophysics
- Cosmology
- Particle Physics
Background:
- Ultralight bosonic dark matter models predict complex wavelike structures.
- These structures include a central soliton core within a halo that undergoes self-interference.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dynamical behavior of dark matter solitons.
- To assess the impact of soliton dynamics on central star clusters, using Eridanus II as a case study.
Main Methods:
- Numerical simulations of ultralight bosonic dark matter.
- Analysis of soliton behavior within a halo potential.
- Modeling gravitational interactions between the soliton and a star cluster.
Main Results:
- Simulations reveal solitons undergo a confined random walk.
- This random walk gravitationally shakes the Eridanus II star cluster.
- Complete tidal disruption of the star cluster is possible within ~1 Gyr.
Conclusions:
- Soliton-induced disruption can be mitigated by tidal stripping of the dark matter halo.
- The Milky Way's tidal forces primarily affect the halo, not the soliton.
- Star clusters formed after halo stripping may survive within the soliton for over 5 Gyr.
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