Constraints on Dark Matter Annihilation from Starlight-Induced Inverse Compton Emission in Omega Centauri
Abstract
The search for the particle identity of dark matter (DM) remains one of the foremost challenges in modern physics. In this work, we derive new constraints on the DM annihilation cross section ⟨σv⟩ by considering the inverse Compton (IC) scattering of DM annihilation injected e+e- off the starlight radiation field in Omega Centauri. As a likely remnant core of a dwarf galaxy, Omega Centauri provides a dense stellar environment that enhances the predict IC signal. Using multi-wavelength observations from Chandra and Fermi-LAT, we establish upper limits on ⟨σv⟩ over a wide DM mass range from MeV to TeV. Notably, in the tens-of-MeV range, our results surpass existing constraints by approximately two orders of magnitude, exceeding ⟨σv⟩ ∼ 10−31 cm3 s−1. At several GeV to the TeV DM masses range, our constraints also remain stronger than existing limits. Our results demonstrate that starlight induced IC emission is an important component for indirect DM searches in dense stellar systems, establishing Omega Centauri as a powerful probe of the nature of DM.
Related
- 21-cm Constraints on S-wave Dark Matter Annihilation with Subhalo-enhanced Effects
- Bar-induced migration of ω Centauri away from Gaia Sausage-Enceladus
- Strong Constraints on Line Signals from Dark Matter Annihilation in a Nearby Subhalo
- Possible High-Energy Neutrino Emission from Dark Matter Annihilation in the Disrupting Dwarf Galaxy Boötes~III
- CECILIA: Multi-line Constraints on Excess Nebular Emission from Low-Ionization Gas at Cosmic Noon
BibTeX
@misc{wang2026constraints,
title = {{Constraints on Dark Matter Annihilation from Starlight-Induced Inverse Compton Emission in Omega Centauri}},
author = {Guan-Sen Wang and Xu Pan and Lei Feng},
howpublished = {arXiv},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.48550/arxiv.2610.28068},
eprint = {2610.28068},
archivePrefix = {arXiv},
url = {https://arxiv.org/abs/2610.28068},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - UNPB
TI - Constraints on Dark Matter Annihilation from Starlight-Induced Inverse Compton Emission in Omega Centauri
AU - Guan-Sen Wang
AU - Xu Pan
AU - Lei Feng
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/20
PB - arXiv
DO - 10.48550/arxiv.2610.28068
UR - https://arxiv.org/abs/2610.28068
AB - The search for the particle identity of dark matter (DM) remains one of the foremost challenges in modern physics. In this work, we derive new constraints on the DM annihilation cross section ⟨σv⟩ by considering the inverse Compton (IC) scattering of DM annihilation injected e^+e^- off the starlight radiation field in Omega Centauri. As a likely remnant core of a dwarf galaxy, Omega Centauri provides a dense stellar environment that enhances the predict IC signal. Using multi-wavelength observations from Chandra and Fermi-LAT, we establish upper limits on ⟨σv⟩ over a wide DM mass range from MeV to TeV. Notably, in the tens-of-MeV range, our results surpass existing constraints by approximately two orders of magnitude, exceeding ⟨σv⟩ ∼ 10^−31 cm^3 s^−1. At several GeV to the TeV DM masses range, our constraints also remain stronger than existing limits. Our results demonstrate that starlight induced IC emission is an important component for indirect DM searches in dense stellar systems, establishing Omega Centauri as a powerful probe of the nature of DM.
ER -