[Paper Review] Dark matter and galactic halos - a quantum approach

Allan Ernest|arXiv (Cornell University)|Aug 20, 2001

Dark Matter and Cosmic Phenomena3 citations

TL;DR

This paper proposes that stable, large-scale gravitational stationary states—termed 'gravitational macro-eigenstructures'—could form from conventional particles via quantum mechanics, offering a novel explanation for dark matter in galactic halos. These structures exhibit lifetimes exceeding the age of the universe and remain largely undetectable under standard astrophysical processes, suggesting a potential origin for dark matter and high-energy cosmic rays.

ABSTRACT

Traditional quantum theory can be used to construct hypothetical very large-scale gravitational stationary state structures from traditionally stable atoms and subatomic particles. These so called "gravitational macro-eigenstructures" have potential to explain the composition of extra-galactic dark matter and galactic halos. It is shown that the eigenstates within these structures can have radiative and stimulated lifetimes that are longer than the age of the universe, and also that they cannot be easily transformed or "destroyed" by many conventional galactic processes. Because of the unique nature of stationary states, it is shown that gravitational eigenstructures have the potential to remain largely undetected, provided certain conditions are met. Speculatively, it is suggested that they could provide a mechanism for the origin of high-energy cosmic rays, and also that, if these hypothetical structures have been present from an early time in the history of the universe, then they could have influenced the large- scale structure of the universe.

Motivation & Objective

• To investigate whether quantum mechanical stationary states can form stable, large-scale structures under gravity.
• To determine if such structures could account for the observed properties of galactic halos and extra-galactic dark matter.
• To assess the stability and detectability of these hypothetical structures over cosmological timescales.
• To explore potential implications for the origin of high-energy cosmic rays and large-scale structure formation.

Proposed method

• Adapts traditional quantum theory to derive stationary state solutions for macroscopic gravitational systems.
• Applies the Schrödinger equation to self-gravitating systems composed of standard matter particles.
• Analyzes eigenstates of these systems to compute radiative and stimulated emission lifetimes.
• Evaluates the robustness of these states against disruption by common galactic processes such as collisions and radiation.
• Considers the implications of long-lived eigenstates for cosmological stability and detectability.
• Uses mathematical modeling to assess the feasibility of such structures forming from primordial matter.

Experimental results

Research questions

• RQ1 Can stable, large-scale quantum stationary states form under self-gravity from standard particles?
• RQ2 Do these gravitational macro-eigenstructures have lifetimes exceeding the age of the universe?
• RQ3 Can these structures remain undetected by conventional astrophysical observation methods?
• RQ4 Could these structures contribute to the origin of high-energy cosmic rays?
• RQ5 What role might such structures have played in the formation of large-scale cosmic structures?

Key findings

• The eigenstates within gravitational macro-eigenstructures exhibit radiative and stimulated lifetimes longer than the age of the universe.
• These structures are highly resistant to disruption by typical galactic processes, making them viable dark matter candidates.
• The stationary state nature of these systems allows them to remain largely undetected unless specific interaction conditions are met.
• The model suggests that such structures could have formed early in cosmic history and influenced large-scale structure formation.
• Speculatively, the decay or de-excitation of these states may provide a mechanism for high-energy cosmic ray production.
• The theoretical framework supports the existence of stable, massive, and non-luminous structures consistent with dark matter observations.