Project description
Diversifying the Search for Dark Matter in the Universe
Uncovering the particle nature of dark matter is one of the most compelling quests in physics. Recent experiments have largely ruled out the most sought-after dark matter candidate, the weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP). The EU-funded UnDark project will search for a broad range of alternative dark matter scenarios by studying dark matter distribution in the universe at the smallest scales through new data analysis and modeling techniques. The project will systematically identify gaps in searches for a large number of dark matter models, and probe astrophysical hints for so-called sterile neutrino and axion dark matter – some of the most promising dark matter candidates next to the WIMP.
Objective
Uncovering the particle nature of dark matter (DM) is one of the primary goals of fundamental physics and cosmology today. DM accounts for 85% of the matter in the Universe, but only its gravitational effects on the motion of celestial objects have been observed. DM research is arguably in a critical state: the long-prevailing WIMP (weakly interacting massive particle) paradigm has not been confirmed experimentally up to now, putting the focus on the electroweak scale under serious pressure. I played a leading role in both identifying and bringing to fall some of the most promising WIMP signal candidates, thanks to new data analysis and modeling techniques that I continuously develop and employ with my group. Furthermore, I am an initiator and lead developer of a powerful new analysis framework for combining a vast range of astrophysical, cosmological, collider and laboratory data, which now forms the core of the most accurate global studies of DM theories.
My goal is to discover particle DM in the post-WIMP era, both by introducing new approaches and by adapting methods that I successfully developed for WIMP searches. I will conclusively probe astrophysical hints for sterile neutrino and axion DM, which are the most promising DM candidates next to the WIMP. However, given the hundreds of valid DM models on the market, one should be wary of repeating the fixation on specific energy scales yet again. I will develop an urgently needed 'principled lampposts' approach to identify gaps in searches for a large number of DM models across the scales. I will cover substantial unexplored territory in the axion and sterile neutrino DM parameter space with upcoming radio and X-ray data, study indirect detection signals over a large range of frequencies, and constrain the substructure of DM with upcoming optical, infrared and radio observations. The results will lead to a detection of the most promising DM candidates, or provide the strongest constraints.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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.
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.
- natural sciences computer and information sciences data science
- natural sciences physical sciences theoretical physics particle physics neutrinos
- natural sciences physical sciences astronomy astrophysics dark matter
- natural sciences physical sciences astronomy physical cosmology
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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)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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.
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
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.
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.
ERC-COG - Consolidator Grant
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2019-COG
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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.
1012WX Amsterdam
Netherlands
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.