WIMP annihilation cross section

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the annihilation cross section of Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs) in the context of supersymmetric dark matter, as presented in an article by G. Jungman et al. Participants explore calculations related to the cross section and its implications for dark matter density parameters.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions their calculation of the annihilation cross section <σv>, which they find to be 1x10^{-29} cm³ s^{-1}, while the article claims it should be approximately 10^{-25} cm³ s^{-1>.
  • Another participant points out an error in the original calculation, suggesting that the correct value is closer to 10^{-25} cm³ s^{-1>, referencing WolframAlpha.
  • The initial poster expresses confusion regarding a claim about the density parameter Ωh², noting a discrepancy between the predicted value of approximately 3x10^{-2} and the measured value of about 0.22.
  • One participant argues that an order of magnitude difference is acceptable for rough estimates in particle physics and cosmology.
  • Another participant references a remark from the article indicating that the predicted value for Ωh² is close to what is required for dark matter, despite the lack of a priori reasons for weak-scale interactions to relate to closure density.
  • A later reply mentions that the mass parameter can be adjusted to achieve a value for Ωh² around 0.1, suggesting a possible connection to electroweak symmetry breaking (EWSB).

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the significance of the discrepancies in the calculated values and the implications for dark matter models. There is no consensus on the interpretation of the results or the relevance of the order of magnitude differences.

Contextual Notes

Participants note potential assumptions and the rough nature of estimates in the field, but do not resolve the discrepancies in values or the implications for dark matter density.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in dark matter research, supersymmetry, and the technical aspects of particle physics calculations may find this discussion relevant.

cohen990
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Hi, I'm reading an article called SuperSymmetric Dark Matter, by G. Jungman et al. doi:10.1016/0370-1573(95)00058-5 and in section 3.2, he claims that
&lt;σv&gt; ≈ \alpha^{2}(100 GeV)^{-2} \approx10^{-25} cm^{3} s^{-1},[\itex] for \alpha \approx \frac{1}{100}.<br /> <br /> When I run through the calculation, I get 1x10^{-29}. Have I tripped up in my calculation or am I missing an assumption somewhere?<br /> <br /> my calculation:<br /> \frac{0.01^{2}}{10^{4}GeV^{2}} = 1GeV^{-2}= 1GeV^{-2}(\hbar c)^{2}c = 3\times10^8\times4\times10^{-2}fm^{2}ms^{-1}=1\times10^{7}\times(\frac{1m}{10^{15}fm})^{2}ms^{-1}fm^{2} = 1\times10^{7}\times10^{-30}m^{3}s^{-1} = 1\times10^{-29}cm^{3}s^{-1}<br /> <br /> Also he claims that his value for Ωh^2 \approx 3\times10^{-2} is close to the value measured \approx 0.22 but it is a full order of magnitude off...<br /> <br /> I know that a portion of cold dark matter is in machos and in baryonic matter but that cannot account for the discrepancy between the measured value and Jungman&#039;s predicted value. Can anybody help me understand?<br /> <br /> <br /> Thanks, Dan
 
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I see an error in your first and last "=".

WolframAlpha gives 10-31m^3/s, which is equivalent to 10-31(102cm)^3/s = 10-25 cm^3/s.
 
Ah, thanks. Silly mistake :<

Any thoughts on my second question?
Also he claims that his value for Ωh2≈3×10−2 is close to the value measured ≈0.22 but it is a full order of magnitude off...

I know that a portion of cold dark matter is in machos and in baryonic matter but that cannot account for the discrepancy between the measured value and Jungman's predicted value. Can anybody help me understand?
 
Where is that claim?

One order of magnitude is not so bad for a rough estimate, concerning the magnitude of some numbers involved in particle physics and cosmology.

http://arxiv.org/abs/hepph/9506380[/size]
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Well the phrase he uses is
This is remarkably close to the value required to account for the dark matter in the Universe, especially if we realize that there is no a priori reason for a weak-scale interaction to have anything to do with closure density, a cosmological parameter!
referring to &lt;\sigma_{A}v&gt;, the annihilation cross section.
 
The ftp links do not work :(, but http://theory.fnal.gov/jetp/talks/feng.pdf (pdf) has the same remark.

m can be tuned, so it is easy to find an m where Ωh2 ≈ 0.1. That happens to be at the scale of EWSB, but it could be a pure coincidence.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Thanks for your help. It makes more sense now.

Supersymmetric dark matter

If you have access, it's worth a look ^_^

Thanks again
 

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