AMS-02 antiprotons and dark matter: Trimmed hints and robust bounds
Francesca Calore, Marco Cirelli, Laurent Derome, Yoann Genolini, David Maurin, Pierre Salati, Pasquale D. Serpico
SciPost Phys. 12, 163 (2022) · published 18 May 2022
- doi: 10.21468/SciPostPhys.12.5.163
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Abstract
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.
Cited by 34
Authors / Affiliations: mappings to Contributors and Organizations
See all Organizations.- 1 Francesca Calore,
- 2 Marco Cirelli,
- 3 Laurent DEROME,
- 1 4 Yoann Genolini,
- 3 David Maurin,
- 1 Pierre Salati,
- 1 Pasquale Dario Serpico
- 1 Laboratoire d'Annecy-le-Vieux de Physique Théorique [LAPTh]
- 2 Laboratoire de Physique Théorique et Hautes Energies / Laboratory of Theoretical and High Energy Physics [LPTHE]
- 3 Université Grenoble Alpes / Grenoble Alpes University [UGA]
- 4 Niels Bohr Institute [NBI]