Dark matter refers to that mysterious stuff believed to make up most of a galaxy’s mass. It’s invisible, and we can only tell it exists through gravitational pull on the rest of visible matter in the universe. This invisible nature presents a great challenge for serious studies on dark matter. In a breathtaking new theoretical study, it has been suggested that dark matter may be seduced to reveal itself through interaction with a peculiar class of black holes known as the elusive primordial black hole.
The Dark Matter Conundrum
The paper starts by mentioning the presence of dark matter dominance in galactic structures and the scientists’ failure to define it within any boundaries. Dark matter is invisible and interacts with regular matter very slightly. Hence, scientists do not know much about dark matter. Scientists cannot directly perceive it due to its slight interaction, and its gravitational influence on observed matter only supports its postulation.
Desperate For A Glimpse: Black Holes As The Key?
Incited by this frustration, scientists are now checking down every narrow alley and byway to make dark matter more detectable. Coming down the pike is the well-known consumer of everything that gets within range-black holes. The idea raises the question of how a voracious light hoover could be the key to causing dark matter to turn on light. In one type of black hole, though, the answer is hidden away: the primordial black hole.
Primordial Black Holes: A Theoretical Relic
Stellar black holes are born out of the collapse of massive stars. However, primordial or early universe black holes are believed to be a product of the tumultuous origin of our universe. Matter and energy spontaneously condensed into these tiny black holes at the ridiculously early stage of the universe. The existence of primordial black holes was first hypothesized by Stephen Hawking. However, they remain purely theoretical because no observations have directly confirmed them.
Even if they do exist, these early universe black holes are thought to be extremely rare. Like all black holes, they emit Hawking radiation—a strange quantum effect in which virtual particles pop in and out of existence near the event horizon of a black hole, with some escaping into space. The smaller the black hole, the more quickly it radiates this energy. Primordial black holes, estimated to be of about an asteroid mass, would, during the universe’s contemporary epoch, be actively emitting large amounts of Hawking radiation.
Hawking Radiation: A Spark For Dark Matter?
Hawking radiation is characterized by photons. The formulation also involves other particles in the spectrum; people even go to the extent of postulating that dark matter particles can be emitted. In this process of emission, if the primordial black holes decayed, they would also emit dark matter particles. Then these dark matter particles interact with each other nearby and trigger a cascade of particles. This short-lived interaction can then produce photons that can become visible. Ultimately, revealing the presence of the hitherto invisible dark matter.
Future Glimpses: Unveiling The Invisible
The scientists predict that the signals will most likely be weak gamma-ray flashes. Unfortunately, the strength of such signals is still beyond the capability of our current observation. The situation may change in the future. NASA’s proposed AMEGO-X systems are likely to be more sensitive and accurate than current systems. Hence, scientists might have a rare chance to directly see dark matter.
The theoretical approach suggests a promising avenue for resolving dark matter mysteries. Scientists can now explore the mysteriousness of dark matter within the cosmos due to a condition-specific property of original black holes.
