1. |
- Koopmans, Léon V. E., et al.
(author)
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Peering into the dark (ages) with low-frequency space interferometers : Using the 21-cm signal of neutral hydrogen from the infant universe to probe fundamental (Astro)physics
- 2021
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In: Experimental astronomy. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0922-6435 .- 1572-9508. ; 51, s. 1641-1676
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The Dark Ages and Cosmic Dawn are largely unexplored windows on the infant Universe (z ~ 200–10). Observations of the redshifted 21-cm line of neutral hydrogen can provide valuable new insight into fundamental physics and astrophysics during these eras that no other probe can provide, and drives the design of many future ground-based instruments such as the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) and the Hydrogen Epoch of Reionization Array (HERA). We review progress in the field of high-redshift 21-cm Cosmology, in particular focussing on what questions can be addressed by probing the Dark Ages at z > 30. We conclude that only a space- or lunar-based radio telescope, shielded from the Earth’s radio-frequency interference (RFI) signals and its ionosphere, enable the 21-cm signal from the Dark Ages to be detected. We suggest a generic mission design concept, CoDEX, that will enable this in the coming decades.
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2. |
- Abdalla, E., et al.
(author)
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Cosmology intertwined : A review of the particle physics, astrophysics, and cosmology associated with the cosmological tensions and anomalies
- 2022
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In: Journal of High Energy Astrophysics. - : Elsevier BV. - 2214-4048 .- 2214-4056. ; 34, s. 49-211
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The standard Λ Cold Dark Matter (ΛCDM) cosmological model provides a good description of a wide range of astrophysical and cosmological data. However, there are a few big open questions that make the standard model look like an approximation to a more realistic scenario yet to be found. In this paper, we list a few important goals that need to be addressed in the next decade, taking into account the current discordances between the different cosmological probes, such as the disagreement in the value of the Hubble constant H0, the σ8–S8 tension, and other less statistically significant anomalies. While these discordances can still be in part the result of systematic errors, their persistence after several years of accurate analysis strongly hints at cracks in the standard cosmological scenario and the necessity for new physics or generalisations beyond the standard model. In this paper, we focus on the 5.0σ tension between the Planck CMB estimate of the Hubble constant H0 and the SH0ES collaboration measurements. After showing the H0 evaluations made from different teams using different methods and geometric calibrations, we list a few interesting new physics models that could alleviate this tension and discuss how the next decade's experiments will be crucial. Moreover, we focus on the tension of the Planck CMB data with weak lensing measurements and redshift surveys, about the value of the matter energy density Ωm, and the amplitude or rate of the growth of structure (σ8,fσ8). We list a few interesting models proposed for alleviating this tension, and we discuss the importance of trying to fit a full array of data with a single model and not just one parameter at a time. Additionally, we present a wide range of other less discussed anomalies at a statistical significance level lower than the H0–S8 tensions which may also constitute hints towards new physics, and we discuss possible generic theoretical approaches that can collectively explain the non-standard nature of these signals. Finally, we give an overview of upgraded experiments and next-generation space missions and facilities on Earth that will be of crucial importance to address all these open questions.
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3. |
- Delahaye, Timur, et al.
(author)
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WHAT COULD WE LEARN FROM A SHARPLY FALLING POSITRON FRACTION?
- 2014
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In: Astrophysical Journal. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 794:2, s. 168-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Recent results from the AMS-02 data have confirmed that the cosmic-ray positron fraction increases with energy between 10 and 200 GeV. This quantity should not exceed 50%, and it is hence expected that it will either converge toward 50% or fall. We study the possibility that future data may show the positron fraction dropping down abruptly to the level expected with only secondary production, and forecast the implications of such a feature in term of possible injection mechanisms that include both dark matter and pulsars. Were a sharp steepening to be found, rather surprisingly, we conclude that pulsar models would do at least as well as dark matter scenarios in terms of accounting for any spectral cut-off.
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4. |
- Prokhorov, Dmitry, et al.
(author)
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CAN THE EXCESS IN THE Fe XXVI Ly gamma LINE FROM THE GALACTIC CENTER PROVIDE EVIDENCE FOR 17 keV STERILE NEUTRINOS?
- 2010
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In: Astrophysical Journal Letters. - 2041-8205 .- 2041-8213. ; 725:2, s. L131-L134
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Sterile neutrinos (or right-handed neutrinos) are a plausible warm dark matter candidate. We find that the excess of the intensity in the 8.7 keV line (at the energy of the Fe XXVI Ly gamma line) in the spectrum of the Galactic center observed by Suzaku cannot be explained by standard ionization and recombination processes. We suggest that the origin of this excess is via decays of sterile neutrinos with a mass of 17.4 keV. The estimated value of the mixing angle sin(2)(2 theta) = (4.4 +/- 2.2) x 10(-12) lies in the allowed region of the mixing angle for a dark matter sterile neutrino with a mass of 17-18 keV.
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5. |
- Sahlén, Martin, 1979-, et al.
(author)
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Cluster-void degeneracy breaking : Modified gravity in the balance
- 2018
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In: Physical Review D. Particles and fields. - : American Physical Society. - 0556-2821 .- 1089-4918. ; 97
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Combining galaxy cluster and void abundances is a novel, powerful way to constrain deviations from general relativity and the Lambda CDM model. For a flat wCDM model with growth of large-scale structure parametrized by the redshift-dependent growth index gamma(z) = gamma(0) + gamma(1)z/(l + z) of linear matter perturbations, combining void and cluster abundances in future surveys with Euclid and the four-meter multiobject spectroscopic telescope could improve the figure of merit for (w, gamma(0),gamma(1)) by a factor of 20 compared to individual abundances. In an ideal case, improvement on current cosmological data is a figure of merit factor 600 or more.
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