Dark Matter Velocity Spectroscopy
Abstract
Dark matter decays or annihilations that produce line-like spectra may be smoking-gun signals. However, even such distinctive signatures can be mimicked by astrophysical or instrumental causes. We show that velocity spectroscopy-the measurement of energy shifts induced by relative motion of source and observer-can separate these three causes with minimal theoretical uncertainties. The principal obstacle has been energy resolution, but upcoming experiments will reach the required 0.1% level. As an example, we show that the imminent Astro-H mission can use Milky Way observations to separate possible causes of the 3.5-keV line. We discuss other applications.
Cite
@article{arxiv.1507.04744,
title = {Dark Matter Velocity Spectroscopy},
author = {Eric G. Speckhard and Kenny C. Y. Ng and John F. Beacom and Ranjan Laha},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1507.04744},
year = {2016}
}
Comments
9 pages, 6 figures, supplemental materials and references added, minor numerical error fixed, conclusions unchanged