Unlocking Discovery Potential for Decaying Dark Matter and Faint X-Ray Sources with XRISM

Astrophysical emission lines arising from particle decays can offer unique insights into the nature of dark matter (DM). Using dedicated simulations with background and foreground modeling, we comprehensively demonstrate that the recently launched X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM) space...

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Main Authors: Yu Zhou, Volodymyr Takhistov, Kazuhisa Mitsuda
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: IOP Publishing 2024-01-01
Series:The Astrophysical Journal
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ad83cf
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author Yu Zhou
Volodymyr Takhistov
Kazuhisa Mitsuda
author_facet Yu Zhou
Volodymyr Takhistov
Kazuhisa Mitsuda
author_sort Yu Zhou
collection DOAJ
description Astrophysical emission lines arising from particle decays can offer unique insights into the nature of dark matter (DM). Using dedicated simulations with background and foreground modeling, we comprehensively demonstrate that the recently launched X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM) space telescope with powerful X-ray spectroscopy capabilities is particularly well suited to probe decaying DM, such as sterile neutrinos and axion-like particles, in the mass range of a few to tens of keV. We analyze and map XRISM’s DM discovery potential parameter space by considering the Milky Way Galactic DM halo, including establishing an optimal line-of-sight search, as well as dwarf galaxies, where we identify Segue 1 as a remarkably promising target. We demonstrate that with only 100 ks exposure, the XRISM/Resolve instrument is capable of probing the underexplored DM parameter window around a few keV and testing DM couplings with a sensitivity that exceeds by two orders existing Segue 1 limits. Further, we demonstrate that XRISM/Xtend instrument sensitivity enables discovery of the nature of faint astrophysical X-ray sources, especially in Segue 1, which could shed light on star formation history. We discuss implications for decaying DM searches with improved detector energy resolution in future experiments.
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spelling doaj-art-8482ea11b40748828c2f236906fd32a12025-08-20T02:48:30ZengIOP PublishingThe Astrophysical Journal1538-43572024-01-01976223810.3847/1538-4357/ad83cfUnlocking Discovery Potential for Decaying Dark Matter and Faint X-Ray Sources with XRISMYu Zhou0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5793-554XVolodymyr Takhistov1Kazuhisa Mitsuda2International Center for Quantum-field Measurement Systems for Studies of the Universe and Particles (QUP, WPI) , High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK), Oho 1-1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0801, Japan ; zhouyu@post.kek.jp, vtakhist@post.kek.jp, kmitsuda@post.kek.jpInternational Center for Quantum-field Measurement Systems for Studies of the Universe and Particles (QUP, WPI) , High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK), Oho 1-1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0801, Japan ; zhouyu@post.kek.jp, vtakhist@post.kek.jp, kmitsuda@post.kek.jp; Theory Center, Institute of Particle and Nuclear Studies (IPNS) , High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK), Tsukuba 305-0801, Japan; Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI) , 1-1 Oho, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0801, Japan; Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (WPI), The University of Tokyo Institutes for Advanced Study, The University of Tokyo , Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8583, JapanInternational Center for Quantum-field Measurement Systems for Studies of the Universe and Particles (QUP, WPI) , High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK), Oho 1-1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0801, Japan ; zhouyu@post.kek.jp, vtakhist@post.kek.jp, kmitsuda@post.kek.jp; National Astronomical Observatory of Japan , 2-21-1 Osawa, Mitaka, Tokyo 181-8588, JapanAstrophysical emission lines arising from particle decays can offer unique insights into the nature of dark matter (DM). Using dedicated simulations with background and foreground modeling, we comprehensively demonstrate that the recently launched X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM) space telescope with powerful X-ray spectroscopy capabilities is particularly well suited to probe decaying DM, such as sterile neutrinos and axion-like particles, in the mass range of a few to tens of keV. We analyze and map XRISM’s DM discovery potential parameter space by considering the Milky Way Galactic DM halo, including establishing an optimal line-of-sight search, as well as dwarf galaxies, where we identify Segue 1 as a remarkably promising target. We demonstrate that with only 100 ks exposure, the XRISM/Resolve instrument is capable of probing the underexplored DM parameter window around a few keV and testing DM couplings with a sensitivity that exceeds by two orders existing Segue 1 limits. Further, we demonstrate that XRISM/Xtend instrument sensitivity enables discovery of the nature of faint astrophysical X-ray sources, especially in Segue 1, which could shed light on star formation history. We discuss implications for decaying DM searches with improved detector energy resolution in future experiments.https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ad83cfX-ray astronomyDwarf galaxiesDark matter
spellingShingle Yu Zhou
Volodymyr Takhistov
Kazuhisa Mitsuda
Unlocking Discovery Potential for Decaying Dark Matter and Faint X-Ray Sources with XRISM
The Astrophysical Journal
X-ray astronomy
Dwarf galaxies
Dark matter
title Unlocking Discovery Potential for Decaying Dark Matter and Faint X-Ray Sources with XRISM
title_full Unlocking Discovery Potential for Decaying Dark Matter and Faint X-Ray Sources with XRISM
title_fullStr Unlocking Discovery Potential for Decaying Dark Matter and Faint X-Ray Sources with XRISM
title_full_unstemmed Unlocking Discovery Potential for Decaying Dark Matter and Faint X-Ray Sources with XRISM
title_short Unlocking Discovery Potential for Decaying Dark Matter and Faint X-Ray Sources with XRISM
title_sort unlocking discovery potential for decaying dark matter and faint x ray sources with xrism
topic X-ray astronomy
Dwarf galaxies
Dark matter
url https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ad83cf
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