Dark matter searches by the planned gamma-ray telescope GAMMA-400

Abstract

Our paper reviews the planned space-based gamma-ray telescope GAMMA-400 and evaluates in details its opportunities in the field of dark matter (DM) indirect searches. We estimated the GAMMA-400 mean sensitivity to the diphoton DM annihilation cross section in the Galactic center for DM particle masses in the range of 1-500 GeV. We obtained the sensitivity gain at least by 1.2-1.5 times (depending on DM particle mass) with respect to the expected constraints from 12 years of observations by Fermi-LAT for the case of Einasto DM density profile. The joint analysis of the data from both telescopes may yield the gain up to 1.8-2.3 times. Thus the sensitivity reaches the level of annihilation cross section σv γγ (m χ = 100 GeV) ≈ 10 −28 cm 3 /s. This will allow us to test the hypothesized narrow lines predicted by specific DM models, particularly the recently proposed pseudo-Goldstone boson DM model. We estimated the GAMMA-400 sensitivity to axion-like particle (ALP) parameters by a potential observation of the supernova explosion in the Local Group. This is very sensitive probe of ALPs reaching the level of ALP-photon coupling constant g aγ ∼ 10 −13 GeV −1 for ALP masses m a 1 neV. We also calculated the sensitivity to ALPs by constraining the modulations in the spectra of the Galactic gamma-ray pulsars due to possible ALP-photon conversion. GAMMA-400 is expected to be more sensitive than the CAST helioscope for ALP masses m a ≈ (1 − 10) neV reaching g min aγ ≈ 2 • 10 −11 GeV −1 . Other potentially interesting targets and candidates are briefly considered too.

Bounds on axion-like particles from the diffuse supernova flux

“…With an analogous field of view as the Fermi-LAT, GAMMA-400 will improve significantly on angular (energy) resolution above 10 (1) GeV. However, GAMMA-400 performances at 100 MeV will be comparable to Fermi-LAT, with a reduction of a factor ∼ 1.5 in effective area [55]. As confirmed by comparing predictions for ALP constraints from detection of future SN explosions at different locations in the sky of Refs.…”

“…As confirmed by comparing predictions for ALP constraints from detection of future SN explosions at different locations in the sky of Refs. [17,55], we expect comparable performances of GAMMA-400 and the LAT also for the DSNALPB search. In particular, given the very similar angular resolution at low energies, we do not expect GAMMA-400 to improve the determination of the diffuse background by resolving more astrophysical sources.…”

Theoretical indication of a possible asymmetry in gamma-radiation between Andromeda halo hemispheres due to Compton scattering on electrons from their hypothetical sources in the halo

“…Effect we are talking about may manifest at any energy including intermediate and low energy ranges. In connection with it, forthcoming satellite gamma-ray telescope project Gamma-400 [13] with especially high angle resolution is of special importance for similar research. There was attempt to connect possible excess in γ-rays from Andromeda halo with DM [14].…”

Examining axion-like particles with superconducting radio-frequency cavity

“…The efforts toward the searches for ALPs include such types of experiments as: helioscopes [6], haloscopes [7,8,9], light-shining-through-wall (LSW) experiments [10,11], spacebased gamma-ray telescopes [12], accelerator-based experiments [13,14,15,16], neutrino experiments [17] and reactor experiments [18].…”