Dark matter axion clumps

  • Nov. 5, 2018, 2:00 pm US/Central
  • Curia II
  • Mark Hertzberg, Tufts

In this talk I begin by reviewing how dark matter axions can undergo Bose-Einstein condensation and why this is captured by classical field theory. I explain that such condensates are spatially localized clumps, as they are organized by gravitation and self-interactions, and they may populate the galaxy. I discuss both the ground state and finite angular momentum states. I then discuss the possibility of parametric resonance of these axion clumps into electromagnetic waves, which may leave an astrophysical signature. Also, I comment on using ultra-light axions to resolve the core-cusp problem at the center of galaxies.