Revealing Astro and Cosmo Imprints of New-Physics

2026-07-22

Despite decades of compelling evidence for the existence of Dark Matter (DM) from independent astrophysical and cosmological observations, the fundamental nature of 85% of the matter of the Universe is still unknown and remains one of the biggest open questions in modern physics. Progress requires advancing in two key areas: enhancing our understanding of DM properties by expanding the set of indirect gravitational probes, and seeking evidence for additional interactions between the dark and visible sectors, as predicted by well-motivated extensions of the Standard Model (SM). My proposal contributes to both objectives by developing and implementing new tools to reveal DM signals and test theories Beyond the SM with existing and upcoming telescopes. The first part of the proposal aims at detecting small-scale galactic DM substructure. It foresees the use of the upcoming ESA Gaia satellite time series observations to construct the largest catalogue of stellar accelerations ever built, conduct the most sensitive search of DM galactic subhalos with astrometric lensing effects, and measure average stellar masses from stacked start-star lensing signals. The second part focuses on designing novel searches for axion-like-particles and new radiation components interacting with photons, by relying on the spatially correlated spectral distortion features that they induce on the CMB and high-redshift quasars due to interaction with photons in the intervening late Universe structure. The expected result is to provide the most sensitive search strategies to look for these well-motivated New Physics scenarios in ongoing and upcoming survey data. My expertise in DM models, data analysis, and astro/cosmo observations, combined with the CERN Theory members' deep knowledge of DM theory and cosmological probes, and further supported by astrometry and CMB/LSS experts at local institutions, provides a strong foundation for achieving the proposed research objectives.

Switzerland

2026-02-15