Information for open-solicited Research
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
Grant-in-Aid for Transformative Research Areas A (2020–2024)
What is dark matter?
-Comprehensive study of the huge discovery space in dark matter-
Head Investigator：Hitoshi MURAYAMA
(Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe, The University of Tokyo)
Grant-in-Aid for Transformative Research Areas A (2020–2024)
What is dark matter?
-Comprehensive study of the huge discovery space in dark matter-
Head Investigator：Hitoshi MURAYAMA
(Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe, The University of Tokyo)
“Dark matter” certainly exists and plays a crucial role in formation of all cosmic structures such as galaxies. However, the nature of dark matter remains a mystery. As guided by particle physics, most efforts of dark matter search have been focused on Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMP) candidates in the mass range of two order magnitudes, but observations and experiments in 2010’s did not find any clue of WIMP. There is now growing interest in non-WIMP dark matter candidates. In this research area, to comprehensively cover the vast discovery space of dark matter search spanning 90 orders of magnitudes in the mass scale, we aim at opening up research area using theoretical approaches, observations of the Universe and terrestrial experiments. We will develop the research project by using timely experiments and observations such as laser interferometry (for which the technology has matured rapidly in recent years), data at the Subaru Telescope, accelerators, artificial satellite, gravitational wave, and high-energy neutrino experiments. In particular, we aim to derive high-impact research results by utilizing the existing state-of-the-art facilities invested in by Japan while adding unique ideas from young researchers. We will focus on developing integrated and innovative research in the fields of astronomy, physics, and engineering.
To perform a comprehensive study of dark matter that is a dominant component of matter in the Universe today, we focus on three categories of dark matter candidates, “light dark matter”, “heavy dark matter”, and “macroscopic dark matter”. Theory Research Groups (A01 – A03) will study generation mechanism of dark matter in the early universe and dark matter physics, and explore observation and experiment methods for dark matter search.
Observation and Experiment Research Groups (B01 – B06) will explore the nature of dark matter using new methods based on the unique idea/consideration from this group and/or taking advantage of the cutting-edge observational data of the Universe. More exactly, we will use laser interferometer experiment (B01), spectroscopic data of Subaru telescope (B02), high-cadence, wide-field-of-view imaging data in optical wavelengths (B03), the innovative technical method/data in X-ray energy range (B04), electron-position accelerator experiment (B05), and cosmic microwave background (B06).
Research Group (C01) will take a top-down approach such as quantum gravity to explore ultimate theory explaining the existence and physics of dark matter. Research Group (C02) will use numerical simulations to study how different dark matter models lead to characteristic features in cosmic structure formation. These C01 and C02 help and stimulate synergetic research between different Research Groups for dark matter physics.
In this research area, we will approach the nature of dark matter by experimental and observational Research Groups (B01 – B06) based on cutting-edge unique ideas with guidance from multidisciplinary Research Groups (C01 – C02) in a top-down approach and theoretical Research Groups (A01 – A03) in a bottom-up approach.
We expect that Publicly Offered (open-solicited) Research programs can cover theoretical studies of dark matter physics based on fundamental theory such as string theory, studies of dark matter physics using particle physics experiments, astronomical and terrestrial data or the combined datasets, and studies of new dark matter search method. We expect that observational/experimental studies via Publicly Offered Research programs can carry out experiment/observational studies of dark matter physics and R&D research of instruments that are different from or complementary to our Planned Research. Moreover, we expect Publicly Offered Research programs of cosmic string and topological defects and the observational efforts (e.g. constraining the abundance) that are not covered by our Planned Research.
We expect Publicly Offered Research programs that are different from or complementary to our Research Groups, carry out dark matter physics spanning different research programs, and carry out research programs based on new ideas/methods.
Please refer the details of each Research Group to the Research Area’s link.
There will be an open call for small research projects with annual funding totaling 27.6 million yen through 2021-2022:
Term of the project should be two years and the project should be carried out only by a researcher adopted.
| Research Group | Upper Limit of Annual Budget (yen) | Number of research projects scheduled to be selected |
| D01 Theoretical and observational/experiment studies of dark matter | 3,300,000 | 2 |
| D02 Observational/experiment studies of dark matter physics | 2,000,000 | 5 |
| D03 Theoretical studies of dark matter physics | 1,000,000 | 11 |
■FY2021 grant Application Procedures and Application Forms : Grant-in-Aid for Transformative Research Areas（A）（Publicly Offered Research）
https://www.mext.go.jp/a_menu/shinkou/hojyo/boshu/1397884_00003.htm
