AMS-02 antiprotons and dark matter: Trimmed hints and robust bounds

Autor: Francesca Calore, Marco Cirelli, Laurent Derome, Yoann Genolini, David Maurin, Pierre Salati, Pasquale D. Serpico
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2022
Předmět:
Zdroj: SciPost Physics, Vol 12, Iss 5, p 163 (2022)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 2542-4653
DOI: 10.21468/SciPostPhys.12.5.163
Popis: Based on 4 yr AMS-02 antiproton data, we present bounds on the dark matter (DM) annihilation cross section vs. mass for some representative final state channels. We use recent cosmic-ray propagation models, a realistic treatment of experimental and theoretical errors, and an updated calculation of input antiproton spectra based on a recent release of the PYTHIA code. We find that reported hints of a DM signal are statistically insignificant; an adequate treatment of errors is crucial for credible conclusions. Antiproton bounds on DM annihilation are among the most stringent ones, probing thermal DM up to the TeV scale. The dependence of the bounds upon propagation models and the DM halo profile is also quantified. A preliminary estimate reaches similar conclusions when applied to the 7 years AMS-02 dataset, but also suggests extra caution as for possible future claims of DM excesses.
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals