Dark Matter on the Smallest Scales

Abstract

This work investigates the dark matters structures that form on the smallest cosmological scales. We find that the types and abundances of structures which form at approximately Earth-mass scales are very sensitive to the nature of dark matter. We explore various candidates for dark matter and determine the corresponding properties of small-scale structure. In particular, we discuss possibilities for indirect detection of dark matter through small-scale structure, and comment on the potential of these methods for discriminating between dark matter candidates.

10 Pages, Proceedings from the Dark Matter working group at the 86th Les Houches Summer School: Particle Physics and Cosmology