Cosmological observables and the nature of dark matter
ABSTRACT :
The LambdaCDM model has proved to be a great success at large scales, adequately described by linear perturbation theory. However, this model might be at variance with cosmological observables at smaller scales. Also the lab and galactic searches for the dark matter particle have yet to reveal the nature of dark matter. After a brief review of the LambdaCDM model, four alternative dark matter models will be discussed: Late Forming Dark Matter (LFDM), Warm Dark Matter (WDM), Ultra Light Axion (ULA), and Charged Decaying Matter (CHDM). These models are largely motivated by observations that suggest the standard model overestimates the matter power at small scales. I will discuss cosmological constraints on these models and also their observable consequences.