New theoretical research proposes that dark matter may produce faint flashes of light when interacting with ultra-tiny primordial black holes. This finding, reported on September 20, could provide a method for scientists to locate and study dark matter, which has remained elusive due to its lack of interaction with light.
Dark matter constitutes a significant portion of the mass of nearly every galaxy, yet its precise nature is still unknown. While it exerts gravitational influence, it does not emit light, making its detection challenging. Researchers are exploring various scenarios to make dark matter more observable, leading to the consideration of primordial black holes as a potential catalyst.
Primordial black holes, theorized by Stephen Hawking, differ from typical black holes as they are thought to have formed during the chaotic early universe rather than from collapsing stars. The study suggests that these small black holes could interact with dark matter, potentially allowing it to emit light.
As primordial black holes evaporate through Hawking radiation, they release various particles, including dark matter particles. This process could energize surrounding dark matter, resulting in brief visible light emissions, likely in the form of gamma-ray flashes. Although current experimental capabilities are insufficient to detect these signals, upcoming observatories, such as NASA's proposed All-sky Medium Energy Gamma-ray Observatory eXplorer (AMEGO-X), may have the necessary sensitivity to identify them.