Statistical Analysis of Interacting Dark Matter Halos: On two physically distinct interaction types

We present a statistical analysis of dark matter halos with interacting neighbors using a set of cosmological simulations. We classify the neighbors into two groups based on the total energy (E₁₂) of the target-neighbor system; flybying neighbors (E₁₂ ≥ 0) and merging ones (E₁₂ < 0). First, we find a different trend between the flyby and merger fractions in terms of the halo mass and large-scale density. The flyby fraction highly depends on the halo mass and environment, while the merger fraction show little dependence. Second, we measure the spin-orbit alignment, which is the angular alignment between the spin of a target halo (${\vec{S}}$ ) and the orbital angular momentum of its neighbor (${\vec{L}}$). In the spin-orbit angle distribution, the flybying neighbors show a weaker prograde alignment with their target halos than the merging neighbors do. With respect to the nearest filament, the flybying neighbor has a behavior different from that of the merging neighbor. Finally, we discuss the physical origin of two interaction types.