Export citation

Export citation

Choose format for download:

Download Citation

    JWST lensed quasar dark matter survey. IV. Stringent warm dark matter constraints from the joint reconstruction of extended lensed arcs and quasar flux ratios

    D. Gilman1,*, A. M. Nierenberg2, T. Treu3, C. Gannon2, X. Du3, H. Paugnat3, S. Birrer4, A. J. Benson5, P. Mozumdar3,6 et al.

    K. C. Wong7, D. Williams3, R. E. Keeley2, K. N. Abazajian8, T. Anguita9, V. N. Bennert10, S. G. Djorgovski11, S. F. Hoenig12, A. Kusenko3,13, M. Malkan3, T. Morishita14, V. Motta15, L. A. Moustakas16, W. Sheu3, D. Sluse17, D. Stern16, and M. Stiavelli18

    • *Contact author: gilmanda@uchicago.edu

    Phys. Rev. D 114, 043044 – Published 18 August, 2026

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/k2m5-kf6p

    Abstract

    We present a measurement of the free-streaming length of dark matter (DM) and subhalo abundance around 28 quadruple image strong lenses using observations from James webb space telescope mid-infrared instrument presented in Paper III of this series. We improve on previous inferences on DM properties from lensed quasars by simultaneously reconstructing extended lensed arcs with image positions and relative magnifications (flux ratios). Our forward modeling framework generates full populations of subhalos, line-of-sight halos, and globular clusters, uses an accurate model for subhalo tidal evolution, and accounts for free-streaming effects on halo abundance and concentration. Modeling lensed arcs leads to more-precise model-predicted flux ratios, breaking covariance between subhalo abundance and the free-streaming scale parametrized by the half-mode mass mhm. Assuming subhalo abundance predicted by the semianalytic model galacticus (N-body simulations), we infer (Bayes factor of 10∶1) mhm<107.4M⊙ (mhm<107.2M⊙), a 0.4 dex improvement relative to omitting lensed arcs. These bounds correspond to lower limits on thermal relic DM particle masses of 6.5 and 7.4 keV, respectively. Conversely, assuming DM is cold, we infer a projected mass in subhalos (106<m/M⊙<1010.7) of 1.7−1.2+2.6×107M⊙  kpc−2 at 95% confidence. This is consistent with galacticus predictions (0.9×107M⊙  kpc−2), but in mild tension with recent N-body simulations (0.6×107M⊙  kpc−2). Our results are among the strongest bounds on warm dark matter, and the most precise measurement of subhalo abundance around strong lenses. Further improvements will follow from the large sample of lenses to be discovered by Euclid, Rubin, and Roman.

    Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

    See Also

    Authorization Required

    We need you to provide your credentials before accessing this content.

    References (Subscription Required)

    Outline

    Information

    Sign In to Your Journals Account

    Filter

    Filter

    Article Lookup

    Enter a citation