The equatorial section of the system. Left: dark matter density (underdense in the vertex network core corresponds to a network of white dots). Center: Phase of the fundamental wave function, with stellar structures in the core associated with the vortex network. Right: Circular movement of vortices inside the core.
The nature of dark matter is one of the great mysteries of cosmology. Within the standard framework of non-collinear cold dark matter (CDM), different models are considered: WAMPS (weakly interacting massive particles, with masses of about 100 GeV/c;2), primordial black holes, and extremely light axisymmetric particles (mass 10-22 to 1 EV/C2) in the latter case, dark matter behaves like a wave, described by a Schrödinger equation, rather than a collection of point particles. This produces specific behaviors at small scales, while following standard dynamics (CDM) at large scales.
Researchers at the Institute of Theoretical Physics, Philippe Breaux and Patrick Valges, studied models of extremely cold matter, whose dynamics is a nonlinear form of the Schrödinger equation and known as bosons. In their work, the authors follow the formation and dynamics of special structures, called “vortices” (vortices) and “solitons” (cores in hydrostatic equilibrium), within haloes of rotating ultralight dark matter.
Papers are published in journals Physical examination d.
In these models, the dark matter core is described by an “illogical” fluid equation, much like the one studied in the laboratory. The system can then maintain overall circulation only through the appearance of singularities, i.e. “vortices”.
Combining analytical and numerical approaches, the authors show that rotating dark matter haloes indeed give rise to such vortices, which further organize into a stable rotating network at the core of the halo. These vortices have an angular momentum that depends on the mass of the dark matter particle. Due to the centrifugal force, the “soliton” (the core of dark matter) acquires an axial, flattened shape.
If these vortices really exist, they could offer a new way to detect ultralight dark matter. For example, by analyzing the gravitational signatures they leave in galaxies. It would also be interesting to study possible connections between these “vortex lines” and the filaments of the cosmic web. Thus, vortices similar to those observed in the laboratory in quantum superfluid physics may exist in dark matter on astrophysical or galactic scales.
More information:
Philip Brax et al., 3D vortices and rotating solitons in ultralight dark matter, Physical examination d (2025) doi: 10.1103/s91m-pldz
Philip Brax et al., Vortices and rotating solitons in ultralight dark matter, Physical examination d (2025) doi: 10.1103/physrevd.111.103527
Provided by CEA Paris Saclay
Reference: Ultralight dark matter halos may reveal new clues to cosmic structure (2025, October 18) Retrieved October 19, 2025, from https://phys.org/news/2025-10-vortices-ltrilight-los-helos-reveal.html
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