The mystery of Dark Matter (DM) is arguably one of the most important open issues in modern physics, and one of the primary goals of a huge research activity worldwide. Its presence is evident in the cosmos via its gravitational influence on various systems (galaxies, clusters, the Cosmic Microwave Background and the large-scale structures), and it constitutes about 84% of the total matter. Dark Matter is therefore a dominant ingredient of the universe. However, its nature is still undetermined. Particle theorists, particle experimentalists and cosmologists must tackle the problem in a way that is by definition interdisciplinary and tightly coordinated. This project proposes to create the embryon of a network of expertise that will allow to make progress in the this quest. The key participants are a particle theorist (Marco Cirelli, from Sorbonne University), a particle experimentalist (Davide D'Angelo, from Milano University) and a particle cosmologist (Francesco Riva, from Geneva University). A small number of postdocs and PhD students complements the team.
The main research goal of the project is to coherently organize the strengths of the different nodes, to make progress in the quest for DM. We plan to establish a research visit program among the 3 nodes. We plan to meet regularly and work on the different tasks. The project will also contribute to scientific events and to outreach initiatives, in the three locations.
Senior CNRS researcher and team leader, Laboratoire de Physique Théorique et Hautes Énergies
Associate professor, Dipartimento di Fisica and INFN
Asociate professor, Département de Physique Théorique