Physicists at the Perimeter Institute have developed a novel simulation method to study self-interacting dark matter, a type of dark matter that interacts with itself but not with ordinary matter, potentially triggering dramatic collapses within dark matter halos. This research, unveiled January 19, 2026, offers new insights into how these collisions could heat and densify the cores of dark matter halos, influencing galaxy formation and possibly even seeding black holes.

The new simulation code addresses a critical gap in previous modeling capabilities. According to researchers, accurately simulating the behavior of self-interacting dark matter, particularly the crucial middle ground of interaction strength, was previously a significant challenge. The new code is designed to be faster, more precise, and accessible, even runnable on a standard laptop, making this area of research more widely available.

Dark matter, an invisible substance that makes up a significant portion of the universe's mass, has been a cosmological enigma for nearly a century. While its presence is inferred through its gravitational effects on visible matter, its exact nature remains unknown. Dark matter halos, vast structures of dark matter, are believed to play a crucial role in the formation and evolution of galaxies.

The self-interacting nature of this particular type of dark matter is key to the new findings. Unlike traditional cold dark matter models, which assume dark matter particles interact very weakly, self-interacting dark matter proposes that these particles can collide with each other. These collisions can redistribute energy within the halo, potentially leading to the collapse of the core.

"Understanding the dynamics of dark matter halos is crucial for understanding how galaxies form and evolve," said one of the physicists at the Perimeter Institute involved in the research. "This new simulation allows us to explore the effects of self-interacting dark matter in unprecedented detail."

The implications of this research extend beyond astrophysics. The development of advanced simulation techniques highlights the growing role of artificial intelligence and computational modeling in fundamental physics research. The ability to run complex simulations on readily available hardware democratizes access to cutting-edge research, potentially accelerating scientific discovery.

The researchers plan to use the new simulation code to investigate a wider range of scenarios and explore the potential connection between collapsing dark matter halos and the formation of supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies. Further studies are also planned to compare the simulation results with observational data from telescopes, potentially providing further evidence for the existence and properties of self-interacting dark matter.