Spin Alignment of Dark Matter Halos in Filaments and Walls

• Published in: The Astrophysical journal Vol. 655; no. 1; pp. L5 - L8
• Main Authors: Aragón-Calvo, Miguel A, van de Weygaert, Rien, Jones, Bernard J. T, van der Hulst, J. M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chicago, IL IOP Publishing 20.01.2007; University of Chicago Press
• Subjects: Astronomy; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; Alignment; Galaxy: formation-large-scale structure of universe; Dark matter; Large-scale structure; Filaments; Galaxy formation
• ISSN: 1538-4357; 0004-637X; 1538-4357
• DOI: 10.1086/511633

The MMF technique is used to segment the cosmic web as seen in a cosmological N-body simulation into wall-like and filament-like structures. We find that the spins and shapes of dark matter halos are significantly correlated with each other and with the orientation of their host structures. The shape orientation is such that the halo minor axes tend to lie perpendicular to the host structure, be it a wall or filament. The orientation of the halo spin vector is mass-dependent. Low-mass halos in walls and filaments have a tendency to have their spins oriented within the parent structure, while higher mass halos in filaments have spins that tend to lie perpendicular to the parent structure.