Daniel Boyanovsky
University of Pittsburgh, PA·Physics
Observations over the past two decades show that about 95% of the energy and matter in the universe is dark matter and dark energy. Neither is explained by the Standard Model of particle physics, the well-tested theory of the fundamental particles and their interactions.
- Fields
Physics
Astronomy & Astrophysics
- Topics
dark matter
dark energy
axion
- Grants
- 1 known grant, through Aug 2027
What they work on
- Calculate how axion dark matter candidates were produced, decayed, and thermalized in the early universe, using non-equilibrium effective field theory, a simplified particle-physics description for changing conditions, to predict dark matter abundance.
- Apply quantum master equations, a quantum-information tool for tracking how a system evolves while coupled to its surroundings, to the non-equilibrium dynamics of dark matter candidates.
- Explore how axion-like particles might be realized and observed in novel condensed matter materials, and whether such materials could serve as platforms for quantum information.
More about the research
One possible explanation for dark matter is a hypothetical new particle called the axion. If the axion exists, it could also explain some puzzling features of the strong force, which holds atomic nuclei together. Researchers have also proposed that particles with similar behavior might appear in certain new materials. That links cosmology, the study of the universe as a whole, with condensed matter physics, the study of solids and other materials.
Why it matters
This is basic theoretical physics. Calculating how much dark matter early-universe processes would produce can help guide and interpret experimental searches for the axion. The work may also eventually inform the design of new materials that host axion-like particles, which could serve as platforms for quantum information technology.
Known grants
From NIH and NSF research grants. Labs often have other funding we can't see.
Closest labs
Soubhik Kumar
Tufts University, MA·Physics
Use effective field theory to classify the non-Gaussian signatures, unusual statistical patterns, left by heavy beyond-Standard-Model particles produced during inflation, and build templates for searches in cosmic microwave background (CMB) surveys.
Manoj Kaplinghat
University of California-Irvine, CA·Physics
Build and test models of physics beyond the Standard Model, the current theory of particles and forces, and work out what signals these extensions would produce in particle accelerator (collider) experiments.
Kuver Sinha
University of Oklahoma, OK·Physics
Constrain axions using neutron stars by combining X-ray polarization data and models of hard X-ray emission from magnetars with the group's framework for axion-induced polarization in dipolar magnetic fields.
The school
University of Pittsburgh: 83 labs on PI Pages, $1.5B a year on research, 403 research doctorates a year.
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