dc.contributor.advisor |
Easther, Richard |
|
dc.contributor.author |
Kendall, Emily Rose Carter |
|
dc.date.accessioned |
2022-07-27T00:53:50Z |
|
dc.date.available |
2022-07-27T00:53:50Z |
|
dc.date.issued |
2021 |
en |
dc.identifier.uri |
https://hdl.handle.net/2292/60596 |
|
dc.description.abstract |
In this thesis I investigate the theory and computational modelling of ultralight
dark matter. The concept of dark matter arose when it was realised that
astronomical observations were at odds with our understanding of gravity. In
particular, it was noted that the motions of astrophysical objects could not be
accounted for by the gravitational in
uence of visible matter alone. To explain
astrophysical dynamics, it was inferred that invisible or `dark' matter must also be
present in the universe, and that it must account for the vast majority of all matter.
Dark matter is now a widely accepted paradigm, however, a precise description of
its nature remains elusive.
In the rst part of this thesis I explore the theoretical fundamentals of ultra-light
dark matter, highlighting crucial di erences between this model and its competitors.
I then focus on the computational modelling of ultra-light dark matter. I describe
a simulation tool, PyUltraLight, developed to model the evolution of astrophysical
objects within the ultra-light dark matter paradigm. I present applications of this
tool on galactic scales, and use these results to support the idea that ultra-light dark
matter may o er a better t to data than its competitors. Following this, I model
of the collapse of ultra-light dark matter overdensities in an expanding background
using AxioNyx, a code that supports adaptive mesh re nement. Finally, I use these
results to identify deviations between the predictions of the ULDM model and
its competitors. I discuss how such di erences may prove useful in assessing the
ability of each model to accurately predict the properties of observed astrophysical
objects. |
|
dc.publisher |
ResearchSpace@Auckland |
en |
dc.relation.ispartof |
PhD Thesis - University of Auckland |
en |
dc.relation.isreferencedby |
UoA |
en |
dc.rights |
Items in ResearchSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated. |
en |
dc.rights |
Items in ResearchSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated. |
|
dc.rights.uri |
https://researchspace.auckland.ac.nz/docs/uoa-docs/rights.htm |
en |
dc.rights.uri |
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/nz/ |
|
dc.title |
The Theory and Computational Modelling of Ultra-Light Dark Matter |
|
dc.type |
Thesis |
en |
thesis.degree.discipline |
Physics |
|
thesis.degree.grantor |
The University of Auckland |
en |
thesis.degree.level |
Doctoral |
en |
thesis.degree.name |
PhD |
en |
dc.date.updated |
2022-06-26T23:55:10Z |
|
dc.rights.holder |
Copyright: The author |
en |
dc.rights.accessrights |
http://purl.org/eprint/accessRights/OpenAccess |
en |