Energetic Neutrinos from the Sun and the Earth and the Granularity of the Dark Matter Distribution

来自太阳和地球的高能中微子以及暗物质分布的粒度

• 批准号: 0969853
• 负责人: Savvas Koushiappas
• 金额: $ 10.5万
• 依托单位: Brown University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2010
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2010-10-01 至 2013-09-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0969853&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Energetic; Neutrinos; Sun; Earth; Granularity

One of the most compelling indications for new physics beyond the Standard Model is the apparent existence of dark matter. Unfortunately, however, very little is known about the nature of dark matter. One important way of possibly detecting dark matter is through neutrino signals coming from the Sun and the Earth. However, it was recently pointed out by the PI and collaborators that the presence of non-trivial structure in the distribution of dark matter can result in elevated neutrino signals. In this project, Professor Koushiappas aims to establish a research program that will more fully assess the implications of granularity of the phase space distribution function of dark matter on the energetic neutrino signal from the Sun and the Earth. Thus, the main goal of this proposal is to determine how structure in the distribution of dark matter and its velocity acts on the expected neutrino signal. This project is also envisioned to have several broader impacts. Beyond the intellectual aspects of increasing our understanding of dark matter, the graduate student participating in this research will acquire unique skills and a breadth of experience that will prepare her/him well for a future research career. The products of this research will also be incorporated into the regular outreach activities at Brown University and Ladd Observatory.

标准模型之外的新物理学最引人注目的迹象之一是暗物质的明显存在。然而不幸的是，人们对暗物质的性质知之甚少。 可能探测暗物质的一种重要方法是通过来自太阳和地球的中微子信号。 然而，PI和合作者最近指出，暗物质分布中非平凡结构的存在可能导致中微子信号增强。 在该项目中，Koushiappas 教授旨在建立一个研究计划，更全面地评估暗物质相空间分布函数的粒度对来自太阳和地球的高能中微子信号的影响。因此，该提案的主要目标是确定暗物质分布的结构及其速度如何作用于预期的中微子信号。 该项目预计还会产生一些更广泛的影响。除了增加我们对暗物质的理解的智力方面之外，参与这项研究的研究生还将获得独特的技能和丰富的经验，这将为她/他未来的研究生涯做好准备。这项研究的产品也将被纳入布朗大学和拉德天文台的定期外展活动中。