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Analysis using Fermi-LAT data reveals upper limits on gamma-ray flux from dark matter, suggesting new insights into DM properties.
The quest to identify the true nature of dark matter remains one of the most pressing challenges in modern physics. We present here a novel approach to probe DM by analyzing mini spikes in DM density around stellar mass black holes using 17 years of data from the Fermi Large Area Telescope (Fermi-LAT). These mini spikes, formed due to the adiabatic growth of black holes in DM halos, can significantly enhance the gamma-ray flux from DM annihilation. We derive upper limits on the gamma-ray flux from these regions using Fermi-LAT observations and calculate the corresponding J-factors to constrain the DM annihilation cross section. This technique provides a new and sensitive method to explore DM properties, particularly in the mass range of ~10 GeV to ~10 TeV. Our results complement existing DM searches and offer a unique window into the behavior of DM in extreme astrophysical environments. This approach, combined with future observations, has the potential to significantly advance our understanding of DM annihilation and its implications for particle physics and cosmology.
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Braga et al. (2025) studied this question.
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