A complete treatment of all aspects of dark matter physicsThis book provides an incisive, self-contained introduction to one of the most intriguing subjects in modern physics, presenting the evidence we have from astrophysics for the existence of dark matter, the theories for what it could be, and the cutting-edge experimental and observational methods for testing them. It begins with a survey of the astrophysical phenomena, from rotation curves to lensing and cosmological structure formation. It goes on to offer the most comprehensive overview available of all three major theories, discussing weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs), axions, and primordial black holes. The book explains the constraints on each theory, such as direct detection and indirect astrophysical limits, and enables students to build physical intuition using hands-on exercises and supplemental material.

A complete treatment of all aspects of dark matter physicsThis book provides an incisive, self-contained introduction to one of the most intriguing subjects in modern physics, presenting the evidence we have from astrophysics for the existence of dark matter, the theories for what it could be, and the cutting-edge experimental and observational methods for testing them. It begins with a survey of the astrophysical phenomena, from rotation curves to lensing and cosmological structure formation. It goes on to offer the most comprehensive overview available of all three major theories, discussing weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs), axions, and primordial black holes. The book explains the constraints on each theory, such as direct detection and indirect astrophysical limits, and enables students to build physical intuition using hands-on exercises and supplemental material.