A main focus of our research group is to uncover the origin and particle nature of Dark Matter (DM), which makes up more than 80% of all matter in the Universe. We seek to determine the microscopic particle interactions by searching for DM particles in laboratory experiments and from studying their imprints on macroscopic astrophysical systems. The breakthrough potential of this approach is enabled by several recent developments including advances in cosmological DM simulations, AI based analysis methods and available data.
In parallel we develop and explore DM particle physics models - extending the current Standard Model of particle physics - based on first principles such as composite dynamics. We analyze data from dark matter search experiments, and we work closely with supercomputing specialists.
We also study the cosmology of weakly coupled dark sectors, with a particular focus on novel DM production mechanisms beyond thermal equilibrium. Possible imprints in particle physics and precision experiments as well as cosmological signatures such as gravitational waves are explored.
We are members of the Danish Instrument center for Astrophysics, and contribute to the detector development of the Any Light Particle Search Experiment (ALPS II). We also carry out DM searches with the gamma-ray telescopes (see Section on high-energy astrophysics).