LISA May Probe Dark Matter Self-Interactions Through Black Hole Mergers

This research explores the potential of using gravitational wave observations from the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) to probe the nature of dark matter. Specifically, it investigates whether LISA can distinguish between cold dark matter (CDM) and self-interacting dark matter (SIDM) models by observing massive black hole (MBH) mergers. The study builds on previous work showing that SIDM can delay MBH mergers compared to CDM in galaxies with flattened central density profiles. Using zoom-in simulations of two galaxy evolutionary histories, the researchers demonstrate that LISA may be able to differentiate between CDM and SIDM with a constant cross section of 1 cm²/g, provided at least ~70 MBH mergers are observed with high signal-to-noise ratios. While acknowledging the limitations of their small sample size and simplified SIDM models, the authors emphasize that their work provides a proof of concept and motivates future research with more realistic models and larger simulation suites. The implications of this research are significant, as it offers a novel approach to probing dark matter self-interactions and potentially resolving discrepancies between CDM predictions and observational data. If LISA can successfully observe a sufficient number of MBH mergers, it could provide valuable constraints on the properties of dark matter and advance our understanding of the universe's composition and evolution. The use of gravitational wave observations represents a promising new avenue for exploring the mysteries of dark matter.

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