Yet another introduction to dark matter. The particle physics approach (Q2414439)

Dark matter is still an open problem in Particle Physics and Cosmology. This book is a modern and compact introduction to this topic from the point of view of Particle Physics. Chap. 1 is a brief introduction to the thermal history of the Universe and the main observables related to cosmology (CMB, structure formation). In Chap. 2 various relic particles (beyond photons and neutrinos) are examined, in particular light cold Dark Matter particles (like axions). In Chap. 3 the thermal relic density of Dark Matter particles is calculated. In particular, the so called ``WIMP miracle'' is illustrated. After solving the Boltzmann evolution equations for the WIMP density, some technical points regarding the calculation of the \(\chi\chi\) annihilation cross section are faced (in particular a detailed theoretical description of Sommerfeld Enhancement). Chap. 4 is devoted to WIMP models in which Higgs and vector portals and effective theories are discussed in detail. The most promising candidate for Dark Matter,i.e., supersymmetric neutralino is discussed as well in great detail. The following three chapters are devoted to three ways for detecting the Dark Matter particles: indirect searches, direct searches, and collider searches. Some posible signals are examined (annihilation in the galaxy halo, DM scattering on nuclei, DM particles production in colliders). In all these searches the varius channels of interaction (Higgs portal, effective couplings or supersymmetric neutralinos) are discussed. A final chapter on further readings closes the book. The book is clearly written and is suitable for those people (both theoreticians and experimentalists) that want to tackle the problem of dark matter. Although this book does not claim to be a complete review of the subject, it is still a useful introductory guide to the problem of dark Matter. The level required to deal with the reading of this book is that of a graduate or a PhD student.