Project description DEENESFRITPL Shedding new light on dark matter Scientists have long accepted the existence of invisible dark matter to account for gravitational influences on our cosmos. Dark matter seems to outweigh "ordinary" visible matter about six to one. However, since it does not absorb, reflect or emit light, it is difficult to detect. So-called light dark matter – dark matter lighter than that which is the subject of most search efforts – could be the key. Theoretically, this matter, which has escaped through detectors unnoticed to date, makes up a parallel world unlike any we know. The EU-funded POKER project is intensifying the search for it with novel approaches that could enable a unique signal signature and a larger signal yield, enhancing the chances of detecting it. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective "The goal of POKER is to establish and demonstrate a new approach to search for light dark matter, based on a missing energy measurement with a positron-beam, active thick-target setup. Light dark matter is the new compelling hypothesis that identifies dark matter with new sub-GeV ""Hidden Sector"" states, neutral under Standard Model interactions and interfacing with our world through a new force. Accelerator-based searches at the intensity frontier are uniquely suited to explore it. However, current and planned efforts are either limited by the low sensitivity or the high backgrounds. This calls for a major breakthrough in the field. The proposed approach overcomes this challenge. The new technique, based on light dark matter production through positron annihilation on atomic electrons, is characterized by a larger signal yield compared to previously explored reactions, and by a unique signal signature resulting from the underlying reaction dynamics: a peak in the missing energy distribution. The re-analysis of “traditional” electron-beam missing energy results, where low-energy secondary positrons are present, has already shown the potential of this technique. POKER will demonstrate its sensitivity by preparing and running a pilot experiment at the CERN H4 beamline with an optimized detector. The test must fulfill strong requirements: the active thick-target must be capable of detecting each impinging particle at very large (MHz) rate, with excellent energy resolution, and to operate in a high radiation dose environment. POKER will set the basis of the first optimized light dark matter search at a positron-beam facility, enabling sensitivity to a large variety of physics cases, from minimal models to more elaborate Hidden Sectors scenarios - such as the ""Strongly Interacting Massive Particles"" conjecture. The pilot run itself will explore a currently unknown territory in the Hidden Sector parameters space, strengthening even more the POKER physics case." Fields of science natural sciencesphysical sciencestheoretical physicsparticle physicsnatural sciencesphysical sciencesatomic physicsnatural sciencesphysical sciencesastronomyastrophysicsdark matter Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Topic(s) ERC-2020-STG - ERC STARTING GRANTS Call for proposal ERC-2020-STG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-STG - Starting Grant Host institution ISTITUTO NAZIONALE DI FISICA NUCLEARE Net EU contribution € 1 484 853,00 Address Via Enrico Fermi 54 00044 Frascati Italy See on map Region Centro (IT) Lazio Roma Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 1 484 853,00 Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all ISTITUTO NAZIONALE DI FISICA NUCLEARE Italy Net EU contribution € 1 484 853,00 Address Via Enrico Fermi 54 00044 Frascati See on map Region Centro (IT) Lazio Roma Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 1 484 853,00
