MIT study creates method to search for dark matter in gravitational waves and finds possible evidence in black hole signal

Research published in Physical Review Letters developed a model to identify possible dark matter signatures in gravitational waves emitted by colliding black holes, after analysis of LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA signals indicated provisional evidence in specific events, still without sufficient statistical confirmation

Study published in Physical Review Letters proposes a model to search for dark matter signatures in gravitational waves generated by black hole mergers, after analysis of LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA signals indicated possible hints in specific events, still without sufficient statistical confirmation.

More than 85% of the Universe’s matter may be dark matter, and a study published in Physical Review Letters suggests that black hole mergers may carry signals of this invisible component in gravitational waves detected on Earth.

Dark matter may leave marks in cosmic collisions

Dark matter does not interact with light, magnetic fields, or forms of electromagnetic energy. Therefore, its existence is inferred by gravity, especially by the curvature around distant galaxies.

One of the hypotheses analyzed involves light scalar particles, much less massive than electrons. Near rapidly rotating black holes, they could behave as coordinated waves and gain density through superradiance.

In this process, part of the black hole’s rotational energy would be transferred to dark matter. At high densities, this scalar environment could alter the dynamics of the merger and imprint marks on the gravitational waves.

MIT model analyzed LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA signals

To search for these signatures, Josu Aurrekoetxea and colleagues developed a semi-analytical waveform model for binaries in scalar environments. The method was validated with numerical relativity simulations.

The team applied Bayesian analysis to the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA catalog, gravitational wave observatories. Among 28 clear signals from the first three observation runs, 27 were compatible with mergers in a vacuum.

The GW190728 signal showed possible hints of an environment associated with dark matter. The study summary also mentions GW190814, in which the vacuum was outside the 95% confidence region.

Researchers treat result as provisional

The authors emphasize that there has been no confirmed detection of dark matter. The statistical significance does not yet allow for a discovery claim, and independent verifications are necessary before any confirmation.

Even so, the method opens a path to investigate dark matter on smaller scales, using black holes as natural amplifiers and upcoming LVK data to search for new physics.

Sign up

Connect with

Access

I allow you to create an account.

When you first accessed our site using a Social Access button, we collected your public profile information shared by the Social Access provider, based on your privacy settings. We also obtained your email address to automatically create an account for you on our website. Once your account is created, you will be logged into that account.

I disagreeI agree

Notify of

new follow-up comments new responses to my comments

Label

Name*

E-mail*

Save my data for the next time I comment.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser's cookies for the next time I comment.

ONESIGNAL ID

ONESIGNAL ID

I allow you to create an account.

When you first accessed our site using a Social Access button, we collected your public profile information shared by the Social Access provider, based on your privacy settings. We also obtained your email address to automatically create an account for you on our website. Once your account is created, you will be logged into that account.

I disagreeI agree

Label

Name*

E-mail*

Save my data for the next time I comment.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser's cookies for the next time I comment.

ONESIGNAL ID

ONESIGNAL ID

0 Comments

most recent

older Most voted