SciPost Submission Page
Dancing in the dark: probing Dark Matter through the dynamics of eccentric binary pulsars
by Giorgio Nicolini, Andrea Maselli, Miguel Zilhão
Submission summary
| Authors (as registered SciPost users): | Miguel Zilhão |
| Submission information | |
|---|---|
| Preprint Link: | https://arxiv.org/abs/2507.16904v1 (pdf) |
| Date submitted: | July 25, 2025, 6:39 p.m. |
| Submitted by: | Miguel Zilhão |
| Submitted to: | SciPost Physics |
| Ontological classification | |
|---|---|
| Academic field: | Physics |
| Specialties: |
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| Approach: | Theoretical |
Abstract
We investigate the dynamics of eccentric binary pulsars embedded in dark matter environments. While previous studies have primarily focused on circular orbits in collisionless dark matter halos, we extend this framework to eccentric systems and explore their interaction with ultralight scalar fields. Adopting a perturbative approach, we compute the modifications to the orbital period induced by dark matter-driven dynamical friction. Our results show that orbital eccentricity amplifies the imprints of non-vacuum environments on binary dynamics, underscoring the potential of such systems as sensitive probes for dark matter signatures.
Author indications on fulfilling journal expectations
- Provide a novel and synergetic link between different research areas.
- Open a new pathway in an existing or a new research direction, with clear potential for multi-pronged follow-up work
- Detail a groundbreaking theoretical/experimental/computational discovery
- Present a breakthrough on a previously-identified and long-standing research stumbling block
Current status:
Awaiting resubmission
Reports on this Submission
Report
In this manuscript, the authors investigate the impact of different dark matter models on the orbital period evolution of pulsar binary systems. They focus on dynamical friction in eccentric orbits, extending earlier results for circular orbits in collisionless dark matter. Their analysis indicates that orbital eccentricity can substantially enhance the effect. The topic is interesting, and the calculations appear sound and well-motivated. Nevertheless, I have several questions and comments (detailed in the appended file) that I would like the authors to address before recommending the paper for publication in SciPost.
Recommendation
Ask for minor revision
Report
This manuscript presents a solid and timely study of environmental effects in binary pulsars. The authors analyze two scenarios, namely collisionless matter and ultralight bosonic condensates, and extend previous work to the case of eccentric orbits. They demonstrate that orbital eccentricity can significantly amplify environmental effects, by up to 1–3 orders of magnitude depending on the parameter space. Although detecting such effects through pulsar timing remains challenging, their results indicate that it could be achievable in specific systems.
The analysis is technically sound, well motivated, and clearly presented. The findings provide a valuable contribution to the field and will be of interest to the community.
I therefore recommend publication in its present form.
The analysis is technically sound, well motivated, and clearly presented. The findings provide a valuable contribution to the field and will be of interest to the community.
I therefore recommend publication in its present form.
Recommendation
Publish (surpasses expectations and criteria for this Journal; among top 10%)