Les Houches Lectures on Indirect Detection of Dark Matter

Summary

These lectures introduce indirect dark matter detection methods, covering early universe effects, signal calculation, theoretical models, and current constraints.

Key findings

• Dark matter interactions can inject energy into the early universe.
• Methods exist to calculate energy and spatial distributions of dark matter-produced particles.
• Theoretical models predict diverse indirect detection signals.
• Current constraints and anomalies in indirect detection are discussed.

Methods

• Calculation of energy injection effects in the early universe.
• Methods for calculating particle energy and spatial distributions from dark matter interactions.
• Review of theoretical models for indirect detection signals.
• Analysis of current constraints and anomalies.

Limitations

• Focus on intuition-building estimates and useful concepts.
• Intended as an introduction for graduate students.

Applications

• Guiding graduate students in indirect dark matter searches.
• Providing a status report on the field circa summer 2021.