On the ejection of dark matter from globular clusters

Abstract

ABSTRACT We investigate analytically whether in a close encounter with a star, a dark matter (DM) particle can be accelerated above the escape speed of a globular cluster and be ejected. We find that this mechanism is not sufficient to eject a massive, extended DM halo by this time. Combined with observations of isolated globular clusters that may not have had their haloes tidally stripped, these results cast doubt on the scenario in which globular clusters formed in DM haloes.