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
gamma ray: emission
gamma ray: galaxy
galaxy: dark matter
detector: threshold
Cherenkov Telescope Array
gamma ray: detector
Cherenkov counter: imaging
Cherenkov counter: atmosphere
interpretation of experiments: GLAST
experimental methods
dark matter: mass
statistical analysis
galaxy: mass
galaxy: cluster: mass
dark matter: annihilation
WIMP: mass
WIMP: annihilation
relic density: thermal