Constraining the fundamental properties of the dark matter particle

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Alejandro Ibarra
• Subject Area: Nuclear and Elementary Particle Physics, Quantum Mechanics, Relativity, Fields
• Term: from 2011 to 2016
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 204228989

Despite the overwhelming evidences for the existence of dark matter in Nature, very little is known about its properties from the Particle Physics point of view, such as its mass, its lifetime or its interactions. We plan to exploit the present wealth of experimental data, as well as the brilliant experimental prospects for the next years, to determine the best constraints on the properties of the dark matter particle and to determine the best strategy for discovery in the future. In a first stage, we plan to concentrate on indirect dark matter searches with different messengers (gamma-rays, electrons, positrons, antiprotons or neutrinos) on different targets and different energies, to benefit from the experience that the principal investigator has gained in the last years in this detection technique. In a second stage, we plan to undertake a more ambitious analysis where we will explore the synergy between indirect detection, direct detection and collider searches.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants