Project description
The search for axions heats up
Axions are hypothetical ultra-lightweight particles that could resolve the strong CP problem in quantum chromodynamics. They are also prominent candidates for dark matter, which accounts approximately for 85 % of the matter in the universe. While relic axions were produced in abundance during the Big Bang, axion-like particles are produced in stars by Compton-like and Bremsstrahlung processes. The axion-like particles produced in our Sun – solar axions – are hot dark matter candidates. Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the ASiD project aims to detect solar axion interactions in the silicon photomultiplier sensor array of the DarkSide-20k experiment. The project involves training in advanced research techniques that should pave the way for breakthroughs in astroparticle physics.
Objective
Dark matter constitutes approximately 85 % of our Milky Way galaxy. Relic axions and Weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) are two of the most promising candidates for dark matter. Axions were proposed to explain the invariance of the two discrete symmetries P and CP, in strong interactions while the rest of the Standard Model (SM) violates them. While relic axions were produced in abundance during the big bang, axion-like-particles are produced in stars due to Compton-like and bremsstrahlung processes. The axion-like-particles produced in Sun are called the solar axions. Because the solar axions are relativistic, they are a candidate for hot dark matter. This project aims at detecting the solar axion interaction and the diurnal and annual modulation of light dark matter particles in the silicon of the state-of-the-art Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPM) sensor array of the DarkSide-20k experiment. The proposed search would be first of its kind. This project involves training in new and advanced research techniques which will pave the way towards a successful career in astroparticle physics for the applicant and the transfer of knowledge to the host institution.
Fields of science
- natural sciencesphysical sciencestheoretical physicsparticle physics
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesastronomyphysical cosmologybig bang
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesastronomyastrophysicsdark matter
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensors
- natural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistrymetalloids
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)Coordinator
TW20 0EX Egham
United Kingdom