A stringent upper limit on dark matter self-interaction cross-section from cluster strong lensing
Open accessAbstract
We analyse strongly lensed images in eight galaxy clusters to measure their dark matter density profiles in the radial region between 10 kpc and 150 kpc, and use this to constrain the self-interaction cross-section of dark matter (DM) particles. We infer the mass profiles of the central DM haloes, bright central galaxies, key member galaxies, and DM subhaloes for the member galaxies for all eight clusters using the qlens code. The inferred DM halo surface densities are fit to a self-interacting dark matter model, which allows us to constrain the self-interaction cross-section over mass σ/m. When our full method is applied to mock data generated from two clusters in the Illustris-TNG simulation, we find results consistent with no dark matter self-interactions as expected. For the eight observed clusters with average relative velocities of $1458_{-81}^{+80}$ km s−1, we infer $\sigma /m = 0.082_{-0.021}^{+0.027} \rm cm^2\, g^{ -1}$ and $\sigma /m \lt 0.13~ \rm cm^2\, g^{ -1}$ at the 95 per cent confidence level.
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There is good agreement between our results and those of [17, 18].
“We also note that there is good agreement between our results and those of [17, 18].”
From Constraint on dark matter self-interaction from combined strong lensing and stellar kinematics in MACS J0138-2155 (2026) · cites this paper as [18]
This degeneracy resembles that of the aggregate sample of clusters in Andrade et al. [18], though offset in ⟨v pair⟩-σ/m space.
“This degeneracy resembles that of the aggregate sample of clusters in Andrade et al. [18], though offset in ⟨ v pair ⟩ -σ/m space.”
From Constraint on dark matter self-interaction from combined strong lensing and stellar kinematics in MACS J0138-2155 (2026) · cites this paper as Andrade et al. [18]
The SIDM cross-section constraint is competitive with previous cluster-scale limits.
“This constraint, derived from the most detailed single-system analysis to date, is competitive with previous cluster-scale limits while demonstrating the power of combining complementary gravitational probes.”
From Constraint on dark matter self-interaction from combined strong lensing and stellar kinematics in MACS J0138-2155 (2026) · cites this paper as [18]
Currently, the most stringent absolute constraints on the SIDM cross section come from strong lensing of galaxy clusters, suggesting σ/m ≲ 0.1 cm^2/g.
“Currently, the most stringent absolute constraints on the SIDM cross section come from strong lensing of galaxy clusters, which suggest σ/m ≲ 0 . 1 cm 2 / g [17, 18].”
From Constraint on dark matter self-interaction from combined strong lensing and stellar kinematics in MACS J0138-2155 (2026) · cites this paper as [18]
The SIDM cross-section must be velocity-dependent if dwarf rotation curves are to be explained by this mechanism.
“The discrepancy in the size of the cross-section implied by cluster and dwarf galaxy observations suggests that the SIDM cross-section must necessarily be a velocitydependent interaction if we wish to explain dwarf rotation curves through this mechanism.”
From Constraint on dark matter self-interaction from combined strong lensing and stellar kinematics in MACS J0138-2155 (2026) · cites this paper as [18]
This triaxial bias is likely to artificially inflate the apparent concentration of lens halos, potentially as much as +60%.
“In addition, this triaxial bias is likely to artificially inflate the apparent concentration of lens halos, potentially as much as +60% (Andrade et al. [18], Appendix C).”
From Constraint on dark matter self-interaction from combined strong lensing and stellar kinematics in MACS J0138-2155 (2026) · cites this paper as Andrade et al. [18]
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O’Donnell, J. H., Jeltema, T. E., Roberts, M. G., Nightingale, J., Flowers, A., & Aldas, D. (2026) · Physical Review D · doi:10.1103/hfgd-245k · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Self-citation
- Authors
- Andrade, K. E., Fuson, J., Gad-Nasr, S., Kong, D., Minor, Q., Roberts, M. G., & Kaplinghat, M.
- Affiliations
- University of California, Irvine (US)
- American Museum of Natural History (US)
- Corresponding author
- Andrade, Kevin E
- ORCID
- Venue
- Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press (OUP)
- Published
- 2021-11-12
- Volume
- 510
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 54-81
- ISSN
- 0035-8711 (ISSN-L)
- 1365-2966
- OpenAlex
- W3112098608
- Cited by
- 94
- References
- 1
- Citations by year
- 2026: 12 · 2025: 20 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 27 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 3
- FWCI
- 3.70
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- arxiv.org
- Licence
- academic.oup.com/journals/pages/open_access/funder_policies/chorus/standard_publication_model (vor)
- Locations
- Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (publishedVersion)
- arXiv (Cornell University) (submittedVersion)
- arXiv (Cornell University) (cc-by)
- Funders
- National Science Foundation (AST-1615306, PHY-1620638)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Nuclear and High Energy Physics › Dark Matter and Cosmic Phenomena
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Galaxies: Formation, Evolution, Phenomena
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Cosmology and Gravitation Theories
- Keywords
- dark matter self-interaction, self-interacting dark matter, dark matter cross section, galaxy clusters, strong gravitational lensing, halo density profiles, dark matter halos, central galaxies, dark matter subhalos, cluster member galaxies
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