Microlensing of extra-galactic sources by compact objects: modelling

Needless to say that the nature of dark matter is one of the biggest questions of modern physics. The possibility that dark matter is (at least partially) made of compact objects is a very appealing idea. One way to probe compact objects, such as primordial black holes, beyond the Solar mass is via supernova lensing. In this project we model the probability density function of microlensing magnification P(A|f), given that a fraction f of dark matter is made of compact objects. We include many effects, such as the complex distribution of dark matter in haloes, the subtle effect of lens-lens coupling and the finite size of sources.