Evolution of linear wave dark matter perturbations in the radiation-dominant era

Abstract

Linear perturbations of the wave dark matter, or \(\psi\) dark matter (\(\psi\)DM), of particle mass \(\sim 10^{-22}\)eV in the radiation-dominant era are analyzed, and the matter power spectrum at the photon-matter equality is obtained. We identify four phases of evolution for \(\psi\)DM perturbations, where the dynamics can be vastly different from the counterparts of cold dark matter (CDM). While in late stages after mass oscillation long-wave \(\psi\)DM perturbations are almost identical to CDM perturbations, some subtle differences remain, let alone intermediate-to-short waves that bear no resemblance with those of CDM throughout the whole evolutionary history. The dissimilarity is due to quantum mechanical effects which lead to severe mode suppression. We also discuss the axion model with a cosine field potential. The power spectrum of axion models are generally almost identical to those of \(\psi\)DM, but in the extreme case when the initial axion angle is near the field potential top, this axion model predicts a higher spectral cutoff than \(\psi\)DM, which is equivalent to having a higher particle mass for \(\psi\)DM.