Bachelor Thesis With Prof. Kahlhoefer in 2021
Resonant dark matter annihilations in the early Universe
The goal of this bachelor thesis:
- Become familiar with calculations of the dark matter relic abundance via the freeze-out mechanism
- Calculate the thermally averaged cross section for resonant annihilations
- Write a numerical code to include corrections not considered in the standard treatment
The student will learn:
- How to describe the interactions of dark matter in the early Universe
- How to calculate thermal averages analytically and numerically
- How to accurately treat processes with resonant enhancement
Requirements:
- General interest in particle physics and cosmology
- Some familiarity with python
Semi-classical approximations for dark matter self-interactions
The goal of this bachelor thesis:
- Become familiar with the calculation of scattering cross sections for non-relativistic particles in the classical limit and in quantum mechanics
- Derive suitable expressions for the intermediate “semi-classical” regime
- Calculate scattering cross sections for specific forms of the potential between dark matter particles
The student will learn:
- How to calculate classical trajectories and quantum mechanical partial waves
- How to approximate quantum mechanical calculations in a semi-classical approach
- How to efficiently calculate and compare results obtained under different approximations
Requirements:
- Strong interest in quantum mechanics and particle physics
- Necessary programming skills can be learned during the project