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Effects of the Large Magellanic Cloud on the Local Dark Matter Distribution in the Milky Way: Insights from the Auriga Simulation
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- Author / Creator
- Ronaghikhameneh, Nima
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This thesis investigates the Large Magellanic Cloud's (LMC) influence on the Milky Way's local dark matter distribution, focusing on implications for dark matter direct detection. Using state-of-the-art Auriga magneto-hydrodynamical simulations with an LMC-like system, we study the dark matter distribution in the Solar neighborhood during different phases of the LMC's orbit around the Milky Way. Our findings show that dark matter particles from the LMC analogue dominate the high speed tail of the local dark matter velocity distribution, confirming earlier Milky Way-LMC system simulations. The LMC's motion significantly accelerates native Milky Way dark matter particles in the Solar neighborhood, creating a distinct peak in the dark matter velocity distribution, particularly for speeds over 500 km/s with respect to the center of the Milky Way-like galaxy.
Simulations of potential signals in upcoming xenon, germanium, and silicon direct detection experiments reveal that the LMC's presence shifts expected direct detection exclusion limits towards smaller cross sections, especially for low mass dark matter. This highlights the LMC's critical role in future dark matter detection studies. We estimate the local dark matter density to be between [$0.21 - 0.60$] $\rm GeV/cm^3$, influenced by the prevalence of LMC dark matter particles in the Solar neighborhood and the Sun's relative position to the LMC in simulations. The outcomes contribute significantly to our understanding of the LMC’s role in influencing the local dark matter distribution and the broader dynamics of dark matter particles in galactic environments.
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- Subjects / Keywords
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- Graduation date
- Spring 2024
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- Type of Item
- Thesis
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- Degree
- Master of Science
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- License
- This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.