Perspectives on WIMP Dark Matter – Pearl Sandick
Date: Tue. October 13th, 2015, 11:30 am-12:30 pmLocation: Rockefeller 221
The question of the identity of dark matter remains one of the most important outstanding puzzles in modern physics. Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs) have long been the frontrunner dark matter candidate, with the supersymmetric neutralino serving as the canonical WIMP. In this talk, I’ll discuss recent results relevant to the search for dark matter, supersymmetric and otherwise, and highlight the spectrum of theoretical and phenomenological approaches to its study. From fundamental constructions to simplified models and effective theories, each approach plays a specific role in furthering our understanding and allowing us to evaluate the prospects for discovery of dark matter. As I’ll demonstrate, even canonical WIMPs may reveal themselves in surprising ways!