The Search for Dark Forces and Light Dark Matter

Despite the amazing success enjoyed by the Standard Model of particle physics, we know it is incomplete and unable to describe all the building blocks of matter and their interactions. One particular sharp piece of evidence for new physics is the existence of dark matter. Dark matter suggests the existence of a dark sector, consisting of particles that do not interact with the known strong, weak, or electromagnetic forces.

Nature may contain numerous dark sectors, each with their own beautiful structure, distinct particles, and forces. This talk summarizes the physics motivation for dark sectors, with a particular emphasis on MeV-GeV mass dark photons and dark matter. Such particles are theoretically natural, provide for dark matter candidates or new dark matter interactions, and could resolve outstanding puzzles in particle and astro-particle physics. In many cases, the exploration of dark sectors can proceed with existing facilities and comparatively modest experiments. A rich, diverse, and low-cost experimental program has been identified that has the potential for one or more game-changing discoveries.

Cette conférence s'adresse à tous, y compris les professeurs, les chercheurs et les étudiants des trois cycles.

Le café est servi à partir de 11h20.