Constraints on Primordial Black Holes with Extended Mass Functions

Abstract

Constraints on primordial black holes in the range $10^{-18} M_{\odot}$ to $10^{3} M_{\odot}$ are reevaluated for a general class of extended mass functions. Whereas previous work has assumed that PBHs are produced with one single mass, instead there is expected to be a range of masses even in the case of production from a single mechanism; constraints therefore change from previous literature. Although tightly constrained in the majority of cases, it is shown that, even under conservative assumptions, primordial black holes in the mass range $10^{-10} M_{\odot}$ to $10^{-8} M_{\odot}$ could still constitute the entirety of the dark matter. This stresses both the importance for a comprehensive reevaluation of all respective constraints that have previously been evaluated only for a monochromatic mass function, and the need to obtain more constraints in the allowed mass range.

5 pages, 2 figures; v2: references added, minor changes