Project description
Exploring dark matter without constraints
Although dark matter makes up a significant part of the universe, its true nature is still unknown. Traditional approaches limit the scope of exploration as they impose assumptions on how dark matter behaves. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the DMPSD project will study dark matter at the phase-space distribution (PSD) level free from assumptions. The team will investigate how interactions between dark matter and other particles shape its PSD, providing accurate, model-independent results. They will also analyse dark matter models across multiple scales, from galaxy formation to particle experiments, to assess their observability and address open astrophysical questions. Project work aims to refine theoretical methods, improve experimental constraints and expand the search for dark matter in previously overlooked scenarios.
Objective
Dark matter (DM) exists, probably in the form of stable particles. It makes up about 25% of the energy budget of the Universe. Despite decades of research, its exact nature is still unknown.
In the typical theoretical treatment, we impose features on the DM phase-space distribution (PSD), limiting the type of DM we can study. Thus, advancing the search for DM may require DM studies at the PSD-level (i.e. without imposing assumptions on the PSD), allowing us to study particle DM in more detail, make accurate predictions consistently, and consider atypical scenarios, expanding our theoretical search and enabling us to look for DM utilizing our full experimental reach, from particle experiments (e.g. LHC) to telescopes (e.g. JWST).
My two objectives aim to fill significant gaps by studying DM at the PSD level.
Objective 1 aims to quantify the impact of several reaction types on the DM PSD and relevant quantities, by computing the DM PSD for specific interactions between DM and other particles. This will provide accurate computation of observables, serving also as model-independent results. It will also allow for comparison with results obtained from the typical treatment, quantifying its limitations.
Objective 2 aims to perform PSD-level analyses of DM models, providing valid predictions beyond the typical cases. By taking into account searches across multiple scales, from galaxy formation to direct-detection experiments, we will assess the potential of these DM models to be observed as well as address open astrophysical and cosmological problems connected to DM.
The impact of this project lie in the improvement of the theoretical treatment of DM, including the development of methods for computing the DM PSD, quantification of the limitations of the typical approach, and improvement of the experimental constraints -- especially for previously ignored cases. The outcomes will enable further theoretical studies and potentially propose new ways of looking for DM.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
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Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
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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-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
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(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
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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.
35122 PADOVA
Italy
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.