Modelling ultra-fine structure in dark matter halos

Dark matter plays a fundamental role in theories of formation and evolution of galaxies, so every attempt to model galaxy formation and evolution has to consider the presence of dark halos. Moreover, mergers and accretions appear to be fundamental driving mechanisms in determining the present day properties of galaxies. Our project studies the ultra‐fine distribution of dark matter in the Milky Way and the implications for the next generation of dark matter particle detectors. We have developed a model for halo mergers in a Milky Way‐like galaxy. The signals expected in the lab‐based dark matter detection experiments depend on the phase‐space distribution on submilliparsec scales: with our numerical technique it is possible to resolve structures, produced by mergers of subhalos with a larger parent halo, inaccessible to conventional N‐body simulations. When applied in a cosmological context, this method becomes a powerful instrument to reproduce and analyse the complete multiple merger history of a Milky ...