WIMP searches with gamma rays in the Fermi era: challenges, methods and results
Résumé
The launch of the gamma-ray telescope Fermi Large Area Telescope (Fermi-LAT) started a pivotal period in indirect detection of dark matter. By outperforming expectations, for the first time a robust and stringent test of the paradigm of weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) is within reach. In this paper, we discuss astrophysical targets for WIMP detection and the challenges they present, review the analysis tools which have been employed to tackle these challenges, and summarize the status of constraints on and the claimed detections in the WIMP parameter space. Methods and results will be discussed in comparison to Imaging Air Cherenkov Telescopes. We also provide an outlook on short term and longer term developments.
Mots clés
- galaxy: cluster: mass
- Cherenkov Telescope Array
- detector: threshold
- galaxy: dark matter
- gamma ray: galaxy
- gamma ray: emission
- relic density: thermal
- WIMP: annihilation
- WIMP: mass
- dark matter: annihilation
- galaxy: mass
- statistical analysis
- dark matter: mass
- experimental methods
- interpretation of experiments: GLAST
- Cherenkov counter: atmosphere
- Cherenkov counter: imaging
- gamma ray: detector