Project description
Shining a light on the search for dark matter
Ordinary matter, such as stars, planets, and humans, makes up only about 5 % of the universe. The rest consists of dark matter and dark energy. Although we infer dark matter’s presence from its gravitational effects, we have no direct observation of it, and it lies outside the standard model of physics. Its interactions must be extremely weak to avoid detection. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the LUMINA project will further efforts to confirm the existence of dark matter by using a highly efficient short baseline near detector (SBND) along with accelerator-based liquid argon time projection chamber neutrino detectors to search for cosmologically-motivated sub-GeV dark matter.
Objective
Ordinary matter — stars, planets, the stuff we are made from — accounts for only 5% of the universe. The remainder of the universe is made of dark matter and dark energy. Although we infer dark matter due to its gravitational pull, we have not yet observed it having any interactions with the Standard Model. If such interactions exist, then they must be incredibly weak, else we would have detected them. Confirming the existence of dark matter would transform our understanding of physics, from the smallest particles to the largest cosmological structures. Accelerator-based liquid argon time projection chamber (LArTPC) neutrino detectors provide a unique avenue to search for cosmologically-motivated sub-GeV dark matter mass range - an area not accessible to other searches. The production of high-intensity neutrino beams involves a very high number of particle interactions, providing a fantastic environment in which to search for dark matter particles that interact very weakly with Standard Model forces.
This project will use the highly performant Short Baseline Near Detector (SBND) with its low noise readout, and excellent photon detection system to perform its first accelerator-based LArTPC search for cosmologically-motivated sub-GeV dark matter. By combining nanosecond timing with novel reconstruction of low-energy “blip” events, SBND will probe a WIMPLess-based model with discovery potential or world-leading limits in an area relevant to the cosmological relic density. The same capabilities will also enhance SBND’s neutrino programme, where precision timing is critical for separating overlapping interactions and improving background rejection. This project is exceptionally timely. With SBND now taking data, there is a unique opportunity to develop and optimise photon- and low energy-based tools on real events and to have them ready for the next-generation LArTPC, DUNE.
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 chemical sciences inorganic chemistry noble gases
- natural sciences physical sciences theoretical physics particle physics neutrinos
- natural sciences physical sciences astronomy planetary sciences planets
- natural sciences physical sciences astronomy astrophysics dark matter
- natural sciences physical sciences theoretical physics particle physics photons
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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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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
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.
EH8 9YL Edinburgh
United Kingdom
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.