What if dark matter is unrelated to WIMPs?

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SUMMARY

This discussion centers on the nature of dark matter and its potential interactions, specifically questioning whether dark matter only interacts gravitationally and the implications of supersymmetry (SUSY) in current models. Participants highlight that if dark matter solely interacts gravitationally, it complicates the understanding of its formation in the early universe. The conversation also touches on the relevance of the standard model of particle physics in cosmology and the challenges of combining quantum field theory (QFT) with general relativity. Key evidence for dark matter's existence includes gravitational lensing observations, such as those from the Bullet Cluster, which indicate that dark matter behaves differently from normal matter during cosmic events.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of dark matter theories and models
  • Familiarity with quantum field theory (QFT) and general relativity
  • Knowledge of gravitational lensing and its implications in astrophysics
  • Basic concepts of the standard model of particle physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore the implications of gravitationally interacting dark matter in cosmological models
  • Research the latest findings on supersymmetry (SUSY) and its relevance in particle physics
  • Study the Bullet Cluster and other gravitational lensing phenomena as evidence for dark matter
  • Investigate the Illustris Project and its simulations regarding dark matter structure formation
USEFUL FOR

Astronomers, physicists, and students interested in cosmology, particle physics, and the ongoing research surrounding dark matter and its implications in the universe.

  • #31
The millenium simulations are the most prominent example, see the external links there for more details.

Regular matter without dark matter is in conflict with all the independent observations of dark matter, the last point there is about the formation of structures in the universe.

The simulations don't agree perfectly, but there is a huge difference between "some details are not so accurate" and "we don't get any structure formation".
 
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  • #32
Yes. If anything, Illustris achieved an amazing level of detail and matches pretty closely.
 

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