The LUX‑ZEPLIN (LZ) experiment, dedicated to the direct search for dark matter, recently observed a single event consistent with a high-energy nuclear recoil, in a region where the expected background is extremely low.
To discuss this announcement, we have organized a meeting in collaboration with the Department of Physics and Astronomy.
It will take place on Tuesday, September 15th in the DIFA Aula Magna at Via Irnerio 46, starting at 3:00 PM.
The proposed meeting will bring together experimental and theoretical physicists for an informal discussion on the LZ result. A member of the LZ experiment will present the analysis method and the characteristics of the observed event, the perspectives for the verification by the XENONnT experiment, and possible interpretations within the framework of physics beyond the Standard Model. Connections to research conducted at the Large Hadron Collider, particularly regarding the Higgsino dark matter hypothesis, and potential cosmological implications of the signal will also be discussed.
The aim is to compare experimental, phenomenological, and cosmological perspectives in an open discussion, seeking to understand the implications of this result should it be confirmed, and identifying the future observations that could clarify its nature.
Programme
15:00 – Search for dark matter particle interactions in an extended nuclear recoil energy window with the LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) experiment (H. Flaecher – University of Bristol)
15:45 – Perspectives in XENONnT (M. Selvi – INFN Sezione di Bologna)
16:20 – Which BSM for LZ ? (F. Sala – Unibo e INFN Sezione di Bologna)
16:55 – Connecting LZ and the LHC: The search for Higgsino Dark Matter (I. Vivarelli – Unibo e INFN Sezione di Bologna)
17:30 – Cosmological implication of the LZ potential discovery (L. Moscardini – Unibo)
18:05 – Final discussion
The event will be held in English.
Remote participation is possible via this Zoom link
https://infn-it.zoom.us/j/3436154196?pwd=jO6Api7Rum5K5wjF2TP0QzbwgbncCg.1