Bachelor thesis with Dr. Kahlhoefer in 2019
Astrophysical constraints on dark matter with long-range interactions
The goal of this bachelor thesis:
- Become familiar with the observational evidence for dark matter self-interactions
- Calculate the momentum transfer cross section for a model of self-interacting dark matter
- Use the most recent measurements to constrain the model and determine the underlying parameters
The student will learn:
- How to interpret astrophysical data in terms of particle physics
- How to calculate cross sections for scattering processes
- How to fit a model to data and determine confidence regions
Requirements:
- General interest in particle physics and analytical methods
- Basic understanding of statistics and data analysis can be learned during the project
Laboratory constraints on dark matter with long-range interactions
The goal of this bachelor thesis:
- Become familiar with experimental strategies for the detection of dark matter
- Implement a new model of dark matter interactions into the public code DDCalc
- Study the phenomenology of the model and predict signals in upcoming experiments
The student will learn:
- How to calculate event rates in dark matter experiments
- How to use numerical tools for signal predictions
- How to obtain exclusion limits and sensitivity estimates
Requirements:
- Basic programming skills (Fortran/C++/python)
- Basic understanding of dark matter physics can be learned during the project