The dichotomy of dark matter fraction and total mass density slope of galaxies over five dex in mass (1902.10158v2)

Abstract: We analyse the mass density distribution in the centres of galaxies across five orders of magnitude in mass range. Using high-quality spiral galaxy rotation curves and infrared photometry from SPARC, we conduct a systematic study of their central dark matter fraction ($f_{\rm DM}$) and their mass density slope ($\alpha$), within their effective radius. We show that lower-mass spiral galaxies are more dark matter dominated and have more shallow mass density slopes when compared with more massive galaxies, which have density profiles closer to isothermal. Low-mass ($M_{\star} \lesssim 10^{10}\, \rm M_{\odot}$) gas-rich spirals span a wide range of \fdm\ values, but systematically lower than in gas-poor systems of similar mass. With increasing galaxy mass, the values of \fdm\ decrease and the density profiles steepen. In the most massive late-type gas-poor galaxies, a possible flattening of these trends is observed. When comparing these results to massive ($M_{\star} \gtrsim 10^{10}M_{\odot}$) elliptical galaxies from SPIDER and to dwarf ellipticals from SMACKED, these trends result to be inverted. Hence, the values of both $f_{\rm DM}$ and $\alpha$, as a function of $M_{\star}$, exhibit a U-shape trend. At a fixed stellar mass, the mass density profiles in dwarf ellipticals are steeper than in spirals. These trends can be understood by stellar feedback from a more prolonged star formation period in spirals, causing a transformation of the initial steep density cusp to a more shallow profile via differential feedback efficiency by supernovae, and by galaxy mergers or AGN feedback in higher-mass galaxies.