New Constraints on Sterile Neutrino Dark Matter from $NuSTAR$ M31 Observations

Abstract

We use a combined 1.2 Ms of $NuSTAR$ observations of M31 to search for X-ray lines from sterile neutrino dark matter decay. For the first time in a $NuSTAR$ analysis, we consistently take into account the signal contribution from both the focused and unfocused fields of view. We also reduce the modeling systematic uncertainty by performing spectral fits to each observation individually and statistically combining the results, instead of stacking the spectra. We find no evidence of unknown lines, and thus derive limits on the sterile neutrino parameters. Our results place stringent constraints for dark matter masses $\gtrsim 12$ keV, which reduces the available parameter space for sterile neutrino dark matter produced via neutrino mixing ($e.g.$, in the $\nu$MSM) by approximately one-third. Additional $NuSTAR$ observations, together with improved low-energy background modeling, could probe the remaining parameter space in the future. Lastly, we also report model-independent limits on generic dark matter decay rates and annihilation cross sections.

16 pages, 6 figures. References added, minor edits, conclusions unchanged. Accepted in PRD

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• Revisiting longitudinal plasmon-axion conversion in external magnetic fields
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• 7.1 keV sterile neutrino dark matter constraints from a deep Chandra X-ray observation of the Galactic bulge Limiting Window
• Indirect Detection of Dark Matter in the Galaxy
• Laboratory limits on the annihilation or decay of dark matter particles
• Note on Thermalization of Non-resonantly Produced Sterile Neutrinos
• Theoretical and phenomenological consequences of active and sterile neutrino within Beyond Standard Model framework
• Freeze-in Leptogenesis via Dark-Matter Oscillations
• Sterile neutrino dark matter production in presence of non-standard neutrino self-interactions: an EFT approach