Asymmetric dark matter in main-sequence stars: interactions with electrons versus nucleons
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Authors
Beram, Stephanie
Date
2024-09-05
Type
thesis
Language
eng
Keyword
Physics , Astroparticle Physics , Dark Matter , Stellar Physics , Dark Matter Heat Transport
Alternative Title
Abstract
In this study, we investigate the influence of asymmetric dark matter (ADM) on stellar structure and evolution through its interactions with electrons and nucleons. We examine velocity-dependent and momentum-dependent scattering cross-sections for n = 0, 1, or 2, where v_rel is the DM-target relative velocity and q is the momentum transferred. Comparing DM capture and energy transport in the present-day Sun, our results show that for DM masses over 1 GeV, the peak luminosity of DM-nucleon interactions is consistently two orders of magnitude higher than that of DM-electron interactions.
Utilizing MESA for stellar modeling, we extend our analysis to other main-sequence stars, emphasizing the importance of convective core stars. We demonstrate how DM-electron and DM-nucleon interactions can eliminate convective cores, reduce core temperatures, and increase core hydrogen burning rates, significantly altering stellar structure and evolution. Furthermore, we explore the impact of constant ADM interactions on the subgiant star KIC 8228742 and its asteroseismic observables, performing stellar calibration across the DM parameter space to ensure consistency with observational data. By using frequency separation ratios, obtained from the asteroseimic frequency spectrum, to evaluate the fit, we find that for certain DM-electron interactions that eliminate the convective core, the resulting model can achieve up to a 4 sigma improvement over no-DM models.
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Copying and Preserving Your Thesis
This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.
ProQuest PhD and Master's Theses International Dissemination Agreement
Intellectual Property Guidelines at Queen's University
Copying and Preserving Your Thesis
This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.