Unambiguous quasar microlensing

Abstract

Microlensing studies of quasars can reveal dark matter lumps over a broad mass spectrum; we highlight the importance of monitoring quasars which are seen through the halos of low-redshift galaxies. For these configurations microlensing by planetary-mass objects will manifest itself as isolated events which are only weakly chromatic. Statistical comparison of the observed optical depths with their theoretical counterparts provides a strong test for a microlensing origin of such events. If microlensing is detected, the light-curves can reveal not only the characteristic microlens masses, and their corresponding contribution to dark halos, but also how compact the individual objects are. In this way we can decisively test the possibility that the dark matter associated with galaxies is composed principally of planetary-mass gas clouds.