Dark matter constraints from a cosmic refractive index

Susan Gardner, David C. Latimer

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

The dark-matter candidates of particle physics invariably possess electromagnetic interactions, if only at loop level. Light, in passing through dark matter, can thus exhibit frequencydependent effects, exhibiting a refractive index which deviates from its vacuum value. Its real part gives dispersive effects in propagation: such are signalled through systematic, frequency-dependent time delays in the observed light curves of cosmologically distant gamma-ray bursts. We review the theoretical framework for their analysis and use observations of gamma-ray-burst radio afterglows to set a direct limit on the electric-charge-to-mass ratio of dark matter.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationIntersections of Particle and Nuclear Physics - Proceedings of the 10th International Conference
Pages248-251
Number of pages4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2009
Event10th International Conference on Intersections of Particle and Nuclear Physics - San Diego, CA, United States
Duration: May 26 2009May 31 2009

Publication series

NameAIP Conference Proceedings
Volume1182
ISSN (Print)0094-243X
ISSN (Electronic)1551-7616

Conference

Conference10th International Conference on Intersections of Particle and Nuclear Physics
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Diego, CA
Period5/26/095/31/09

Keywords

  • Dark matter
  • Gamma ray bursts
  • Radio afterglows

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physics and Astronomy (all)

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