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Astro Dark Large & Small

Project description

On the trail of new physics in light particles: particle physics, astrophysics and cosmology

The Standard Model (SM) of particle physics, developed in the 1970s and revised over the years, is our best model of the particles that make up our universe and the forces that act on them. Nevertheless, it has recognised gaps, and the search for ‘new physics’ beyond the SM is a vibrant area of research. Light particles including axions and dark photons, neither of which has yet been observed, are predicted to explain key omissions in the SM. Funded by the European Research Council, the AstroDarkLS project will discover or falsify some of these models, focusing on the impact of light particles on astrophysical and cosmological probes such as line intensity mapping, light curves of core collapse supernovae and the Lyman-alpha forest.

Objective

The Standard Model (SM) of particle physics is a successful, extremely well-verified theory. Nevertheless, the SMappears far from being complete. There are still many theoretical and experimental open questions: the strong-CP problem, the origin of neutrino masses, the nature of dark energy and dark matter. The need for physics beyond the Standard Model (BSM) is undeniable, but the question The Standard Model (SM) of particle physics is a successful, extremely well-verified theory. Nevertheless, the SM appears far from being complete. There are still many theoretical and experimental open questions: the strong-CP problem, the origin of neutrino masses, the nature of dark energy and dark matter. The need for physics beyond the Standard Model (BSM) is undeniable, but the question is: how and where will we find it? The aim of the AstroDarkLS project is to try to discover or falsify important theoretical models of light particles, such as axions and dark photons, considering their impact in astrophysical and cosmological systems which were never considered in depth by the particle physics community. The project is organised around three main themes, spanning various length scales in the universe: the use of stars and astrophysical objects to look for new physics; the impact of motivated BSM models on star formation; the investigation of electromagnetic signals both from galaxies and the interstellar medium between them. For each theme groundbreaking objectives are identified, such as the first simulation of Supernovae radiative transport including axions, the first public code for star formation in the presence of light physics, the innovative use of line intensity mapping (LIM) to detect dark matter decay or annihilation into photons. All the objectives are located at the interface between particle physics, astrophysics and cosmology, building on the unique experience of the PI in these various disciplines and in perfect alignment with the European Commission vision.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Keywords

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) ERC-2023-STG

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Host institution

ORGANISATION EUROPEENNE POUR LA RECHERCHE NUCLEAIRE
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 793 750,00
Address
ESPLANADE DES PARTICULES 1 PARCELLE 11482 DE MEYRIN BATIMENT CADASTRAL 1046
1211 GENEVE 23
Switzerland

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Region
Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera Région lémanique Genève
Activity type
Research Organisations
Links
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 793 750,00

Beneficiaries (2)

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