Dark matter: from the early Universe to the Milky Way

by Dr Anne Green (University of Nottingham)

Tuesday 19 Feb 2008, 13:15 → 14:15 Europe/Stockholm

FA31

Cosmological and astronomical observations indicate that most of the matter in the Universe is both dark and non-baryonic. Particle physics provides us with several well motivated dark matter (DM) candidates and numerous experiments are underway attempting to detect them. The signals expected in these experiments depend on the DM distribution on sub-galactic, and in some cases sub-milli-parsec, scales. I will describe how the microphysics of the DM in the early Universe determines the properties of the first, smallest DM microhalos to form. I will then discuss the subsequent dynamical evolution of these microhalos, the resulting DM distribution within the Milky Way and the consequences for experiments. The focus will mainly be on WIMPs, but if time permits I will also briefly mention axions and Primordial Black Holes.