Baryon-dark matter scattering and first star formation

Abstract

The recent detection of the sky-averaged 21-cm cosmological signal indicates a stronger absorption than the maximum allowed value based on the standard model. One explanation for the required colder primordial gas is the energy transfer between the baryon and dark matter fluids due to non-gravitational scattering. Here, we explore the thermal evolution of primordial gas, collapsing to form Population III (Pop III) stars, when this energy transfer is included. Performing a series of one-zone calculations, we find that the evolution results in stars more massive than in the standard model, provided that the dark matter is described by the best-fit parameters inferred from the 21-cm observation. On the other hand, a significant part of the dark matter parameter space can be excluded by the requirement to form massive Pop III stars sufficiently early in cosmic history. Otherwise, the radiation background needed to bring about the strong Wouthuysen-Field coupling at z >~ 17, inferred to explain the 21-cm absorption feature, could not be builtup. Intriguingly, the independent constraint from the physics of first star formation at high densities points to a similarly narrow range in dark matter properties. This exploratory study has to be followed-up with self-consistent three-dimensional simulations for a more rigorous derivation.

5 pages, 4 figures, accepted to MNRASL

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• Neutrino Mass Ordering from Oscillations and Beyond: 2018 Status and Future Prospects
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• The Effects of Population III X-ray and Radio Backgrounds on the Cosmological 21-cm Signal
• Constraining First Star Formation with 21cm-Cosmology
• Inflation and Early Dark Energy with a Stage II Hydrogen Intensity Mapping Experiment
• Implications of the possible 21-cm line excess at cosmic dawn on dynamics of interacting dark energy
• Lunar Orbit Measurement of Cosmic Dawn 21 cm Global Spectrum
• A unified framework for 21cm tomography sample generation and parameter inference with Progressively Growing GANs
• Double charged heavy constituents of dark atoms and superheavy nuclear objects
• Constraints on ALPs and excited dark matter from the EDGES 21-cm absorption signal
• Gravitational waves from mergers of Population III binary black holes: roles played by two evolution channels
• The Global 21 cm Absorption from Cosmic Dawn with Inhomogeneous Gas Distribution
• Premature Black Hole Death of Population III Stars by Dark Matter
• Astrophysical information from the Rayleigh-Jeans Tail of the CMB
• Constraining the non-gravitational scattering of baryons and dark matter with early cosmic structure formation
• Simulating the collapse of rotating primordial gas clouds to study the survival possibility of Pop III protostars
• Forecasting 21-cm power spectrum sensitivity to dark Matter-baryon scattering
• Catching p via s wave with indirect detection