Magnetic fields, a pervasive force found throughout the universe, have long intrigued scholars. Their origins, especially on cosmic scales, remain one of the enduring mysteries in astrophysics. The SISSA study offers a new perspective, suggesting that these magnetic fields could be primordial, originating almost concurrently with the universe's birth.

A key finding of the SISSA research is the potential role of dark matter in uncovering the nature of these elusive magnetic fields. Dark matter, an invisible component that constitutes a significant portion of the universe's mass, does not interact directly with magnetic fields. However, the study posits an indirect interaction through gravitational forces. This interaction could lead to increased density perturbations in dark matter on small scales, culminating in the formation of mini-halos. These mini-halos, if detected, could serve as indicators of the primordial nature of magnetic fields.

Pranjal Ralegankar, the lead author from SISSA, explains, "Magnetic fields are ubiquitous in the Cosmos. Our approach is based on understanding their influence on dark matter, albeit indirectly through gravity." This indirect interaction could provide insights into the early universe, a period that remains shrouded in mystery due to the limitations of our current understanding of physics.

The study goes on to describe how primordial magnetic fields might enhance density perturbations of electrons and protons in the early universe. These perturbations, once reaching a significant magnitude, could influence the magnetic fields themselves, leading to a cascade of events resulting in the suppression of fluctuations on a small scale. This process, Ralegankar notes, "results in their collapse on small scales, producing mini-halos of dark matter."

Interestingly, while the fluctuations in baryonic matter density might cancel out, they could leave traces through these mini-halos, detectable solely through gravitational interactions. "These theoretical findings also suggest that the abundance of mini-halos is determined not by the current presence but rather by the strength of primordial magnetic fields in the primordial Universe," Ralegankar adds.

The implications of these findings are significant. A detection of dark matter mini-halos would not only shed light on the elusive nature of dark matter but also reinforce the hypothesis that magnetic fields formed very early in the universe's history, potentially within a second after the Big Bang.

This study represents a creative blend of theoretical astrophysics and cosmology, offering a different perspective on two of the most enigmatic components of our universe: dark matter and magnetic fields. It opens up new avenues for research and could potentially lead to groundbreaking discoveries about the early universe. As the cosmic puzzle continues to unravel, studies like this from SISSA contribute significantly to our understanding of the universe's most profound mysteries.

Research Report:Dark Matter Minihalos from Primordial Magnetic Fields

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