Particle Dark Matter: Observations, Models and Searches

Description

Dark matter is among the most important open problems in modern physics. Aimed at graduate students and researchers, this book describes the theoretical and experimental aspects of the dark matter problem in particle physics, astrophysics and cosmology. Featuring contributions from 48 leading theorists and experimentalists, it presents many aspects, from astrophysical observations to particle physics candidates, and from the prospects for detection at colliders to direct and indirect searches. The book introduces observational evidence for dark matter along with a detailed discussion of the state-of-the-art of numerical simulations and alternative explanations in terms of modified gravity. It then moves on to the candidates arising from theories beyond the Standard Model of particle physics, and to the prospects for detection at accelerators. It concludes by looking at direct and indirect dark matter searches, and the prospects for detecting the particle nature of dark matter with astrophysical experiments.

Gianfranco Bertone is coordinator of the Theoretical Physics group at the Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris. His technical work mainly focuses on theoretical and phenomenological aspects of the dark matter problem, and he participates in important experimental collaborations on the elaboration of optimal strategies for the detection of dark matter particles.

'... this book represents a text that any scholar whose research field is somewhat related to dark matter will find useful to have within easy reach ... graduate students will find in this book an extremely useful guide into the vast and interdisciplinary field of dark matter ...' Il Nuovo Saggiatore '... Particle Dark Matter is a very welcome addition. Virtually every aspect of modern dark-matter research is covered, with the wide authorship providing detailed but consistently readable contributions. ... This is an excellent book, ideally suited to graduate students in the field and any others wishing to familiarize themselves with one of the most exciting and pressing challenges currently available in science. I can report that my colleagues, on seeing the book, have more often than not attempted to steal it away to lose themselves in its depths.' The Observatory 'This book is an absolute necessity for anyone working in the field ... contains a wealth of solid reliable material.' Contemporary Physics