Project description
First experimental campaign on the newly built DALI(PoP) detector
Laboratory investigations of cosmic phenomena are particularly challenging. Two of the greatest enigmas that remain beyond observational reach are dark matter constituents and high-frequency gravitational waves. The newly built detector prototype DALI(PoP) was designed to access both. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the DARKLESS project will prepare the first scientific exploitation of DALI(PoP). With sensitivity almost an order of magnitude greater than current state of the art in both dark matter and gravitational wave detection, DALI(PoP)’s use in DARKLESS could improve the focus of future searches by identifying candidate spectral signals or exclusion limits for models and simulations.
Objective
DARKLESS is a research project aiming to shed light on two of the most profound open questions in fundamental physics: the nature of dark matter (DM) and the existence of high-frequency gravitational waves (GWs). Hosted at the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) under the supervision of Prof. Rafael Rebolo—a world-leading expert in microwave instrumentation and its application to cosmology—DARKLESS will use a newly built detector prototype, DALI(PoP), to search for axions—hypothetical particles that may constitute DM—and GW signals in the 6–8 GHz range. The detector will operate with sensitivity nearly an order of magnitude beyond the current state of the art in both fields, enabling identification of candidate spectral signals or setting new exclusion limits on theoretical models and cosmological simulations. It will translate the Fellow’s step-by-step programme—from concept to prototype—into practice via the first scientific exploitation of DALI(PoP).
In parallel, the project will develop and test scalable methods for coherent multichannel signal combination, informing the design and validating performance for the future full DALI, a next-generation experiment with enhanced discovery reach. This work builds on the IAC’s expertise in microwave cosmology and radio interferometry and constitutes a two-way knowledge exchange that advances the Fellow’s path to research independence—developing state-of-the-art instrumentation, quantitative analysis, theoretical insight and open-science leadership—while extending the Host’s capabilities at the frontier of fundamental physics. The action also benefits from targeted knowledge transfer with world-leading international GW consortia and laboratories.
DARKLESS will foster international mobility, reinforce Europe’s leadership in astroparticle instrumentation, and deliver a timely, ambitious, and original contribution to the European Research Area.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
- natural sciences physical sciences theoretical physics particle physics
- natural sciences physical sciences astronomy observational astronomy gravitational waves
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering information engineering telecommunications radio technology microwave technology
- natural sciences physical sciences astronomy astrophysics dark matter
- natural sciences physical sciences astronomy physical cosmology
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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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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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) 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.
38205 SAN CRISTOBAL DE LA LAGUNA
Spain
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.