Measuring the physical properties of dark matter with strong gravitational lensing

Sep 1, 2026   3:30 - 5:00 pm  
Astronomy Building
Astronomy
Sponsor
Department of Astronomy
Speaker
Dr. Anna Nierenberg
Contact
Daniel Franco
E-Mail
danielf9@illinois.edu
Phone
217-300-6769
Views
13
Originating Calendar
Astronomy Colloquium Speaker Calendar

The abundance and density profiles of dark matter halos depends directly on the physics of the candidate dark matter model. Strong gravitational lensing enables a direct measurement of these properties for halos at cosmological distances, without requiring halos to contain any baryons at all and thus provides a unique and powerful way to probe the nature of dark matter. I will present our recent results using strongly lensed quasar narrow-line and warm dust emission to constrain the density profiles and mass function of dark matter halos and to provide some of the strongest constraints to date on warm-dark matter, self-interacting dark matter, and fuzzy dark matter models. I will conclude by discussing future prospects for strong gravitational lensing in the era of upcoming large surveys and the next generation of 30 meter class telescopes.

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