DIRECT SEARCH FOR DARK MATTER WITH THE DARKSIDE-20K EXPERIMENT

Dark matter is today one of the main puzzles in fundamental physics.
Indeed, its contribution to the total mass of the Universe is 85%, but it cannot be explained in the framework of the Standard Model (SM) of particle physics.
Several candidates exist in theories beyond the SM, and the WIMP (Weakly Interacting Massive Particle) is one of the best motivated of these candidates, as it allows to also solve the SM hierarchy problem, directly linked to the stability of the Higgs boson mass.
xperiments searching directly for dark matter thus use our galaxy halo as a potential source of WIMPs.
Since , the most sensitive technology is based on the measurement of the scintillation light from the scattering of a WIMP on a liquid noble atom argon or xenon.
In this framework, the DarkSide-20k (DS-20k) experiment, which will be installed 1.
km underground in the Gran Sasso laboratory in Italy, is the third generation of liquid argon detectors.
It will use a time projection chamber of 3.
m diameter and 3.
m high filled with 50 tons of purified argon and read out by silicon photomultipliers.
This will allow to have the world leading discovery potential for WIMPs after few years of data taking.
The actual work is dedicated to the construction of the detector.
Data taking should start in .
The increase of the liquid argon volume, compared to the first and second generation, will allow DS-20k to have the best sensitivity of all the liquid argon detectors after only one month of data.
he goal of this thesis, already financed by the Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR) between October and September , is to prepare and to participate to the analysis of the first data, for which the CPPM computed the sensitivity to WIMPs of low (<10 GeV) and high mass (>100 GeV).
First, the student will participate to the simulation and the installation of the calibration system, designed and validated at CPPM.
In parallel, the student will improve data reconstruction algorithms by using artificial intelligence techniques (e.
.
neural networks), to optimize the separation between signal and backgrounds.
Finally, he (she) will participate to the analysis of calibration data taken by DS-20k, and to the first physics analyses.
These activities bring a complete education in particle physics, including instrumental aspects, software and data analysis.
ork ContextCPPM is a laboratory under the supervision of CNRS/IN2P3 and the University of Aix-Marseille.
It is located on the Luminy campus in Marseille, in the heart of the Parc National des Calanques.
The research conducted at CPPM is at the crossroads of the two infinites - the infinitely small and the infinitely large - from the study of the elementary components of matter to the exploration of the cosmos.
The laboratory employs around 180 people, including 40 researchers, 70 engineers and 30 PhD students.
CPPM is committed to conducting ethical research and promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and provides administrative and logistical support to newcomers, particularly PhD students (https://www.
ppm.
n2p3.
r/web/fr/index.
tml).
The successful candidate will be part of the dark matter team, which comprises a dozen members.
he position is funded by the ANR FIDAR project, approved in for 4 years from to .
onstraints and risksDuring his/her thesis, the student will travel regularly to the LNGS to participate to the integration and run of the calibration system.
dditional InformationRequirements:• Education.
master in experimental particle physics• Programming.
knowledge in python or C++• Language.
fluency in spoken and written EnglishThe application consists of:• a motivation letter• CV (2 pages maximum) and university grade transcripts (for all degrees)• Three reference lettersPlease arrange for the reference letters to be sent to Fabrice Hubaut () and Pascal Pralavorio () and upload the statement of interest and CV on the CNRS portal https://emploi.
nrs.
r/Offres/Doctorant/UMR-ANNPOR-126/Default.
spx?lang=EN.
The deadline for applications is April 15th .
The position start date is October 1rst .