| 1. |
- Scott, Pat, 1982-
(författare)
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Searches for Particle Dark Matter : Dark stars, dark galaxies, dark halos and global supersymmetric fits
- 2010
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The identity of dark matter is one of the key outstanding problems in both particle and astrophysics. In this thesis, I describe a number of complementary searches for particle dark matter. I discuss how the impact of dark matter on stars can constrain its interaction with nuclei, focussing on main sequence stars close to the Galactic Centre, and on the first stars as seen through the upcoming James Webb Space Telescope. The mass and annihilation cross-section of dark matter particles can be probed with searches for gamma rays produced in astronomical targets. Dwarf galaxies and ultracompact, primordially-produced dark matter minihalos turn out to be especially promising in this respect. I illustrate how the results of these searches can be combined with constraints from accelerators and cosmology to produce a single global fit to all available data. Global fits in supersymmetry turn out to be quite technically demanding, even with the simplest predictive models and the addition of complementary data from a bevy of astronomical and terrestrial experiments; I show how genetic algorithms can help in overcoming these challenges.
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| 2. |
- Akrami, Yashar, 1980-, et al.
(författare)
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How well will ton-scale dark matter direct detection experiments constrain minimal supersymmetry?
- 2011
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Ingår i: Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics. - : IOP Publishing. - 1475-7516. ; :4, s. 012-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) are amongst the most interesting dark matter (DM) candidates. Many DM candidates naturally arise in theories beyond the standard model (SM) of particle physics, like weak-scale supersymmetry (SUSY). Experiments aim to detect WIMPs by scattering, annihilation or direct production, and thereby determine the underlying theory to which they belong, along with its parameters. Here we examine the prospects for further constraining the Constrained Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (CMSSM) with future ton-scale direct detection experiments. We consider ton-scale extrapolations of three current experiments: CDMS, XENON and COUPP, with 1000 kg-years of raw exposure each. We assume energy resolutions, energy ranges and efficiencies similar to the current versions of the experiments, and include backgrounds at target levels. Our analysis is based on full likelihood constructions for the experiments. We also take into account present uncertainties on hadronic matrix elements for neutralino-quark couplings, and on halo model parameters. We generate synthetic data based on four benchmark points and scan over the CMSSM parameter space using nested sampling. We construct both Bayesian posterior PDFs and frequentist profile likelihoods for the model parameters, as well as the mass and various cross-sections of the lightest neutralino. Future ton-scale experiments will help substantially in constraining supersymmetry, especially when results of experiments primarily targeting spin-dependent nuclear scattering are combined with those directed more toward spin-independent interactions.
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| 3. |
- Akrami, Yashar, 1980-, et al.
(författare)
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Statistical coverage for supersymmetric parameter estimation : a case study with direct detection of dark matter
- 2011
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Ingår i: Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics. - : IOP Publishing. - 1475-7516. ; :7, s. 002-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Models of weak-scale supersymmetry offer viable dark matter (DM) candidates. Their parameter spaces are however rather large and complex, such that pinning down the actual parameter values from experimental data can depend strongly on the employed statistical framework and scanning algorithm. In frequentist parameter estimation, a central requirement for properly constructed confidence intervals is that they cover true parameter values, preferably at exactly the stated confidence level when experiments are repeated infinitely many times. Since most widely-used scanning techniques are optimised for Bayesian statistics, one needs to assess their abilities in providing correct confidence intervals in terms of the statistical coverage. Here we investigate this for the Constrained Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (CMSSM) when only constrained by data from direct searches for dark matter. We construct confidence intervals from one-dimensional profile likelihoods and study the coverage by generating several pseudo-experiments for two benchmark sets of pseudo-true parameters. We use nested sampling to scan the parameter space and evaluate the coverage for the two benchmarks when either flat or logarithmic priors are imposed on gaugino and scalar mass parameters. We observe both under- and over-coverage, which in some cases vary quite dramatically when benchmarks or priors are modified. We show how most of the variation can be explained as the impact of explicit and implicit priors, where the latter are indirectly imposed by physicality conditions. For comparison, we also evaluate the coverage for Bayesian credible intervals, and (predictably) observe significant under-coverage in those cases.
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| 4. |
- Baum, Sebastian, et al.
(författare)
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Determining dark matter properties with a XENONnT/LZ signal and LHC Run 3 monojet searches
- 2018
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Ingår i: Physical Review D. - 2470-0010 .- 2470-0029. ; 97:8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We develop a method to forecast the outcome of the LHC Run 3 based on the hypothetical detection of O(100) signal events at XENONnT. Our method relies on a systematic classification of renormalizable single-mediator models for dark matter-quark interactions and is valid for dark matter candidates of spin less than or equal to one. Applying our method to simulated data, we find that at the end of the LHC Run 3 only two mutually exclusive scenarios would be compatible with the detection of O(100) signal events at XENONnT. In the first scenario, the energy distrib ution of the signal events is featureless, as for canonical spin-independent interactions. In this case, if a monojet signal is detected at the LHC, dark matter must have spin 1/2 and interact with nucleons through a unique velocity-dependent operator. If a monojet signal is not detected, dark matter interacts with nucleons through canonical spin-independent interactions. In a second scenario, the spectral distribution of the signal events exhibits a bump at nonzero recoil energies. In this second case, a monojet signal can be detected at the LHC Run 3; dark matter must have spin 1/2 and interact with nucleons through a unique momentum-dependent operator. We therefore conclude that the observation of O(100) signal events at XENONnT combined with the detection, or the lack of detection, of a monojet signal at the LHC Run 3 would significantly narrow the range of possible dark matter-nucleon interactions. As we argued above, it can also provide key information on the dark matter particle spin.
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| 5. |
- Abdo, A. A., et al.
(författare)
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Measurement of the Cosmic Ray e(+)+e(-) Spectrum from 20 GeV to 1 TeV with the Fermi Large Area Telescope
- 2009
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Ingår i: Physical Review Letters. - 0031-9007 .- 1079-7114. ; 102:Article number: 181101
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Designed as a high-sensitivity gamma-ray observatory, the Fermi Large Area Telescope is also an electron detector with a large acceptance exceeding 2 m(2) sr at 300 GeV. Building on the gamma-ray analysis, we have developed an efficient electron detection strategy which provides sufficient background rejection for measurement of the steeply falling electron spectrum up to 1 TeV. Our high precision data show that the electron spectrum falls with energy as E-3.0 and does not exhibit prominent spectral features. Interpretations in terms of a conventional diffusive model as well as a potential local extra component are briefly discussed.
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| 6. |
- Abdo, A. A., et al.
(författare)
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The Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope Discovers the Pulsar in the Young Galactic Supernova Remnant CTA 1
- 2008
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Ingår i: Science. - : American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). - 0036-8075 .- 1095-9203. ; 322:5905, s. 1218-1221
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Energetic young pulsars and expanding blast waves [ supernova remnants (SNRs)] are the most visible remains after massive stars, ending their lives, explode in core-collapse supernovae. The Fermi Gamma- Ray Space Telescope has unveiled a radio quiet pulsar located near the center of the compact synchrotron nebula inside the supernova remnant CTA 1. The pulsar, discovered through its gamma- ray pulsations, has a period of 316.86 milliseconds and a period derivative of 3.614 x 10(-13) seconds per second. Its characteristic age of 10(4) years is comparable to that estimated for the SNR. We speculate that most unidentified Galactic gamma- ray sources associated with star- forming regions and SNRs are such young pulsars.
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| 7. |
- Aalbers, J., et al.
(författare)
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A next-generation liquid xenon observatory for dark matter and neutrino physics
- 2023
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Ingår i: Journal of Physics G: Nuclear and Particle Physics. - : IOP Publishing. - 0954-3899 .- 1361-6471. ; 50:1
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- The nature of dark matter and properties of neutrinos are among the most pressing issues in contemporary particle physics. The dual-phase xenon time-projection chamber is the leading technology to cover the available parameter space for weakly interacting massive particles, while featuring extensive sensitivity to many alternative dark matter candidates. These detectors can also study neutrinos through neutrinoless double-beta decay and through a variety of astrophysical sources. A next-generation xenon-based detector will therefore be a true multi-purpose observatory to significantly advance particle physics, nuclear physics, astrophysics, solar physics, and cosmology. This review article presents the science cases for such a detector.
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| 8. |
- Bergstrom, S., et al.
(författare)
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J-factors for self-interacting dark matter in 20 dwarf spheroidal galaxies
- 2018
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Ingår i: Physical Review D. - 2470-0010 .- 2470-0029. ; 98:4
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Dwarf spheroidal galaxies are among the most promising targets for indirect dark matter (DM) searches in gamma rays. The gamma-ray flux from DM annihilation in a dwarf spheroidal galaxy is proportional to the J-factor of the source. The J-factor of a dwarf spheroidal galaxy is the line-of-sight integral of the DM mass density squared times /(0), where sigma(ann)v(rel) is the DM annihilation cross-section times relative velocity v(rel) = vertical bar v(rel)vertical bar angle brackets denote average over v(rel), and (sigma(ann)v(rel)) is the v(rel)-independent part of sigma(ann)v(rel). If sigma(ann)v(rel) is constant in v(rel), J-factors only depend on the DM space distribution in the source. However, if sigma(ann)v(rel) varies with v(rel), as in the presence of DM self-interactions, J-factors also depend on the DM velocity distribution, and on the strength and range of the DM self-interaction. Models for self interacting DM are increasingly important in the study of the small scale clustering of DM, and are compatible with current astronomical and cosmological observations. Here we derive the J-factor of 20 dwarf spheroidal galaxies from stellar kinematic data under the assumption of Yukawa DM self-interactions. J-factors are derived through a profile likelihood approach, assuming either NavarroFrenk-White (NEW) or cored DM profiles. We also compare our results with J-factors derived assuming the same velocity for all DM particles in the target galaxy. We find that this common approximation overestimates the Mactors by up to 1 order of magnitude. J-factors for a sample of DM particle masses and self-interaction coupling constants, as well as for NFW and cored density profiles, are provided electronically, ready to he used in other projects.
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| 9. |
- Catena, Riccardo, 1978, et al.
(författare)
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Compatibility of a dark matter discovery at XENONnT or LZ with the WIMP thermal production mechanism
- 2018
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Ingår i: Physical Review D. - 2470-0010 .- 2470-0029. ; 97:10
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The discovery of dark matter (DM) at XENONnT or LZ would place constraints on DM particle mass and coupling constants. It is interesting to ask when these constraints can be compatible with the DM thermal production mechanism. We address this question within the most general set of renormalizable models that preserve Lorentz and gauge symmetry, and that extend the standard model by one DM candidate of mass m(DM) and one particle of mass M-med mediating DM-quark interactions. Our analysis divides into two parts. First, we postulate that XENONnT/LZ has detected mu(s) similar to O(100) signal events, and use this input to calculate the DM relic density, Omega(Dm)h(2). Then, we identify the regions in the M-med - Omega(Dm)h(2) plane which are compatible with the observed signal and with current CMB data. We find that for most of the models considered here, O(100) signal events at XENONnT/LZ and the DM thermal production are only compatible for resonant DM annihilations, i.e. for M-med similar or equal to 2m(DM). In this case, XENONnT/LZ would be able to simultaneously measure m(DM) and M-med. We also discuss the dependence of our results on m(DM), mu(s) and the DM spin, and provide analytic expressions for annihilation cross sections and mediator decay widths for all models considered in this study.
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| 10. |
- Morå, Knut Dundas, 1989-
(författare)
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A Search for Dark Matter Lines with H.E.S.S. II
- 2016
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Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Most of the matter in the universe, ~80% is thought to be dark matter- particles that have small or no interactions with standard model particles. Dark matter is an integral part of the current understanding of cosmology, and leaves signs in the movements of stars and galaxies, as well as the Cosmic Microwave Background. The erakly interacting massive particle (WIMP) is a well-studied dark matter model that would be expected to have a mass around the weak scale, 100 GeV. WIMPs annihilating in the galactic center could give rise to mono- energetic gamma-rays in addition to a more extended spectrum. This thesis details a search for a dark matter line in a region 1.5° west of the galactic center using the High Energy Stereoscopic System (H.E.S.S.) imaging air Cherenkov telescope. The inclusion of a fifth telescope in the array enabled the analysis to extend the HESS energy range down to 100 GeV for a spectral line search. At 130 GeV, a limit of 1.38 10^-27 cm^3/s on the velocity-weighted cross-section at 95% confidence limit could be set using15.2 hours of data. The analysis is the first paper using all five telescopes of H.E.S.S. II. The main subject of the thesis has been in optimization of this analysis as well as future H.E.S.S. pointings.
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