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  • Central densities of dark matter haloes in fire-2 simulations of low-mass galaxies with cold dark matter and self-interacting dark matter
Title: Central densities of dark matter haloes in fire-2 simulations of low-mass galaxies with cold dark matter and self-interacting dark matter
ABSTRACT We investigate the central density structure of dark matter haloes in cold dark matter (CDM) and self-interacting dark matter (SIDM) models using simulations that are part of the Feedback In Realistic Environments (fire) project. For simulated haloes of dwarf galaxy scale ($$M_{\rm halo}(z=0)\approx 10^{10}\, \mathrm{ M}_\odot$$), we study the central structure in both dissipationless simulations and simulations with full fire-2 galaxy formation physics. As has been demonstrated extensively in recent years, both baryonic feedback and self-interactions can convert central cusps into cores, with the former process doing so in a manner that depends sensitively on stellar mass at fixed $$M_{\rm halo}$$. Whether the two processes (baryonic feedback and self-interactions) are distinguishable, however, remains an open question. Here we demonstrate that, compared to feedback-induced cores, SIDM-induced cores transition more quickly from the central region of constant density to the falling density at larger radial scales. This result holds true even when including identical galaxy formation modelling in SIDM simulations as is used in CDM simulations, since self-interactions dominate over galaxy formation physics in establishing the central structure of SIDM haloes in this mass regime. The change in density profile slope as a function of radius therefore holds the potential to discriminate between self-interactions and galaxy formation physics as the driver of core formation in dwarf galaxies.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
2408247 2108962 1910346
PAR ID:
10660207
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;
Publisher / Repository:
Royal Astronomical Society
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Volume:
543
Issue:
3
ISSN:
0035-8711
Page Range / eLocation ID:
1995 to 2005
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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