Understanding the Low Energy Excess in Dark Matter Detectors

Akronym

dmm

Bidragets beskrivning

New sensor technologies have enabled dark matter detectors to search for low energy events, expected from recoils of light dark matter particles. However, the sensitivity of these detectors is currently limited by an unidentified background with a steeply rising spectrum towards low energy, called the low energy excess. In this project we aim to identify the source of this excess. We will utilize molecular dynamics and density functional theory simulations to uncover the atom scale physics relevant in the energy scales of interest. We will identify the mechanisms that trigger the energy release from lattice defects that could explain the low energy excess. These results will allow to mitigate the problem and to extend the search of dark matter towards the unexplored low mass region.
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Startår

2025

Slutår

2029

Beviljade finansiering


Matti Heikinheimo Orcid -palvelun logo
499 430 €

Rollen i Finlands Akademis konsortium

Övriga parter i konsortiet

Partner
Helsingfors universitet (371543)
483 716 €

Finansiär

Finlands Akademi

Typ av finansiering

Akademiprojekt

Beslutfattare

Forskningsrådet för naturvetenskap och teknik
12.06.2025

Övriga uppgifter

Finansieringsbeslutets nummer

371542

Vetenskapsområden

Fysik

Forskningsområden

Hiukkas- ja ydinfysiikka