A universe of dark sectors

黑暗地带的宇宙

• 批准号: SAPIN-2021-00034
• 负责人: Schutz, Katelin
• 金额: $ 4.52万
• 依托单位: McGill University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Subatomic Physics Envelope - Individual
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2022-01-01 至 2023-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=762580
• 关键词: universe; dark; sectors

Our Universe appears to be filled with matter that is relatively inert and that cannot be explained within the existing Standard Model (SM) of particle physics. This non--luminous matter has been detected through its gravitational influence in a wide variety of astrophysical environments. The broad agreement between gravitational probes has inspired a concerted multi-disciplinary effort to characterize the microphysical nature of this dark matter (DM). Inspired by the rich structure of the SM, where there are many elementary particles and interactions that can form myriad composite states, the DM may be part of a sector that is complex and contains auxiliary forces and matter fields. Any observationally viable dark sector must be very decoupled from the SM since all efforts to detect DM via non--gravitational interactions have thus far yielded null results. Additionally, the space of possible dark sector theories is incredibly vast. A systematic study of dark sectors may therefore seem a daunting task. However, in this proposal I will outline concrete ways to make progress in the next five years with an emphasis on synthesizing information from a variety of astrophysical and condensed matter systems. By testing DM over the wide range of lengthscales, timescales, and ambient environments spanned by these systems, my research group will interrogate a multitude of theoretical possibilities for what the DM is made of and how it interacts. In particular, the primary objectives I outline in this proposal involve testing dark sectors where i) DM is comprised of a mix of non-degenerate states that can scatter inelastically through a dark force and alter structure formation, ii) where DM annihilation or decay injects energy into the intergalactic medium, iii) where strong dynamics beyond the SM creates primordial black holes as a substantial fraction of the dark matter, and iv) where there are light dark sector degrees of freedom with enhanced coupling to SM particles in dense environments (including stellar interiors and laboratory-based condensed matter systems) due to in-medium effects. In carrying out this research program, my group will advance the quest to understand the nature of DM as a basic building block of our Universe. Along the way, group members will develop the necessary skills to become leaders in particle physics and beyond.

我们的宇宙似乎充满了相对惰性的物质，并且无法在现有的粒子物理学标准模型（SM）中解释。这种不发光的物质已经通过其在各种天体物理环境中的引力影响被探测到。引力探测器之间的广泛一致性激发了多学科的协同努力，以表征这种暗物质（DM）的微物理性质。受到SM丰富结构的启发，其中有许多基本粒子和相互作用可以形成无数的复合状态，DM可能是一个复杂的部门的一部分，包含辅助力和物质场。任何观测上可行的暗区必须与SM非常解耦，因为所有通过非引力相互作用探测DM的努力迄今为止都没有得到任何结果。此外，可能的暗区理论的空间是令人难以置信的巨大。因此，对暗区进行系统研究似乎是一项艰巨的任务。然而，在本提案中，我将概述未来五年取得进展的具体方法，重点是综合来自各种天体物理和凝聚态系统的信息。通过在这些系统所涵盖的广泛的长度尺度、时间尺度和周围环境中测试DM，我的研究小组将询问DM是由什么组成的以及它如何相互作用的多种理论可能性。 特别是，我在这个建议中概述的主要目标涉及测试暗扇区，其中i）DM由非简并状态的混合组成，这些状态可以通过暗力非弹性散射并改变结构形成，ii）DM湮灭或衰变将能量注入星系际介质，iii）超出SM的强动力学创建原始黑洞作为暗物质的重要部分，以及iv）由于介质内效应，在致密环境（包括恒星内部和基于实验室的凝聚态系统）中存在与SM粒子的增强耦合的亮暗扇区自由度。在进行这项研究计划时，我的团队将推进对DM作为我们宇宙基本组成部分的性质的理解。沿着，小组成员将发展必要的技能，成为粒子物理学和超越领导者。