The Search for Dark Matter
Abstract:
The nature of dark matter is one of the big unknowns in modern particle physics. The dark matter particle makes up about 25% of the energy content of the Universe and plays a crucial role in the growth of cosmic structures, however, as of today it has not yet been detected and its properties are largely unknown. This course will concentrate on the experimental search for dark matter, with an emphasis on direct detection experiments placed in deep-underground labs. Astrophysical, statistical and nuclear physics aspects will be covered as well. Finally, we will review current results from dark matter searches using direct and indirect approaches, as well as searches at hadron colliders, aiming at a complete picture of this exciting subject.
Topics covered in the course (preliminary):
- evidence for dark matter, the standard halo model and the local dark matter density, dark matter candidates, dark matter searches
- direct detection: rates and signatures, energy scales, background and background reduction, low background techniques, statistics
- direct detection: crystals and cryogenic detectors, directional detectors, noble liquid detectors, future searches
- current results from indirect detection and collider searches, the current dark matter landscape