Speaker
Description
In this work, we propose a novel mechanism for generating gamma rays from the Galactic Center by scattering cosmic-ray protons off dark matter in the Milky Way halo. Unlike conventional explanations based on dark matter annihilation, the photon signal in the inelastic dark matter model arises from subsequent decays of a heavier dark matter component produced by the up-scattering of a lighter component constituting the ambient dark matter. This framework provides an excellent fit to the observed Galactic Center gamma-ray excess for a range of viable model parameters. More broadly, this framework also applies to another scenario involving two mediators that produce similar phenomenology. This approach provides a new avenue for interpreting gamma-ray observations of the Galactic Center.