An Interpretable AI Framework to Disentangle Self-Interacting and Cold Dark Matter in Galaxy Clusters: The CKAN Approach

Abstract

Convolutional neural networks have shown their ability to differentiate between self-interacting dark matter (SIDM) and cold dark matter (CDM) on galaxy cluster scales. However, their large parameter counts and ''black-box'' nature make it difficult to assess whether their decisions adhere to physical principles. To address this issue, we have built a Convolutional Kolmogorov-Arnold Network (CKAN) that reduces parameter count and enhances interpretability, and propose a novel analytical framework to understand the network's decision-making process. With this framework, we leverage our network to qualitatively assess the offset between the dark matter distribution center and the galaxy cluster center, as well as the size of heating regions in different models. These findings are consistent with current theoretical predictions and show the reliability and interpretability of our network. By combining network interpretability with unseen test results, we also estimate that for SIDM in galaxy clusters, the minimum cross-section $(\sigma /m{)}_{\mathrm{th}}$ required to reliably identify its collisional nature falls between $0.1{\mathrm{cm}}^2/\mathrm{g}$ and $0.3{\mathrm{cm}}^2/\mathrm{g}$. Moreover, CKAN maintains robust performance under simulated JWST and Euclid noise, highlighting its promise for application to forthcoming observational surveys.

15 pages, 8 figures; accepted for publication in The Astronomical Journal

References in corpus (47)

• SciPy 1.0--Fundamental Algorithms for Scientific Computing in Python
• Array Programming with NumPy
• Astropy: A Community Python Package for Astronomy
• First Year Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) Observations: Determination of Cosmological Parameters
• Planck 2015 results. XIII. Cosmological parameters
• Seven-Year Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) Observations: Cosmological Interpretation
• The cosmological simulation code GADGET-2
• Simulating the joint evolution of quasars, galaxies and their large-scale distribution
• Nine-Year Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) Observations: Final Maps and Results
• Dark Matter Self-interactions and Small Scale Structure
• The effect of photo-ionization on the cooling rates of enriched, astrophysical plasmas
• Direct constraints on the dark matter self-interaction cross-section from the merging galaxy cluster 1E0657-56
• Constraints on the Self-Interaction Cross-Section of Dark Matter from Numerical Simulations of the Merging Galaxy Cluster 1E 0657-5
• Rotation-invariant convolutional neural networks for galaxy morphology prediction
• Cosmological Simulations with Self-Interacting Dark Matter I: Constant Density Cores and Substructure
• Chemical enrichment in cosmological, smoothed particle hydrodynamics simulations
• A Method for Measuring (Slopes of) the Mass Profiles of Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxies
• On the relation between the Schmidt and Kennicutt-Schmidt star formation laws and its implications for numerical simulations
• The non-gravitational interactions of dark matter in colliding galaxy clusters
• Cosmological Simulations with Self-Interacting Dark Matter II: Halo Shapes vs. Observations
• The BAHAMAS project: Calibrated hydrodynamical simulations for large-scale structure cosmology
• Cold dark matter: controversies on small scales
• Simulating galactic outflows with kinetic supernova feedback
• Constraining Self-Interacting Dark Matter with the Milky Way's dwarf spheroidals
• Projected WIMP Sensitivity of the XENONnT Dark Matter Experiment
• Self-Interacting Dark Matter Halos and the Gravothermal Catastrophe
• Colliding clusters and dark matter self-interactions
• An excess of small-scale gravitational lenses observed in galaxy clusters
• The BAHAMAS project: the CMB--large-scale structure tension and the roles of massive neutrinos and galaxy formation
• Cosmic evolution of stellar quenching by AGN feedback: clues from the Horizon-AGN simulation
• Halpha rotation curves: the soft core question
• Galaxies in X-ray Groups. II. A Weak Lensing Study of Halo Centering
• Observable tests of self-interacting dark matter in galaxy clusters: cosmological simulations with SIDM and baryons
• In the Wake of Dark Giants: New Signatures of Dark Matter Self Interactions in Equal Mass Mergers of Galaxy Clusters
• Astrophysical Axion Bounds: The 2024 Edition
• Observable tests of self-interacting dark matter in galaxy clusters: BCG wobbles in a constant density core
• The diverse density profiles of galaxy clusters with self-interacting dark matter plus baryons
• The structure and assembly history of cluster-size haloes in Self-Interacting Dark Matter
• Universal gravothermal evolution of isolated self-interacting dark matter halos for velocity-dependent cross sections
• The Mass Distribution and Rotation Curve in the Galaxy
• A persistent excess of galaxy-galaxy strong lensing observed in galaxy clusters
• N-body simulations of dark matter with frequent self-interactions
• Reconciling galaxy cluster shapes, measured by theorists vs observers
• Dark Matter Astrometry: Accuracy of sub-halo positions for the measurement of self-interaction cross sections
• Looking for dark matter trails in colliding galaxy clusters
• A test for skewed distributions of dark matter and a possible detection in galaxy cluster Abell 3827
• Why weak lensing cluster shapes are insensitive to self-interacting dark matter