PPC 2025: XVIII International Conference on Interconnections between Particle Physics and Cosmology

Jun 23, 2025, 7:00 AM → Jun 27, 2025, 4:00 PM US/Mountain

Deadwood, SD

Registration fee is 450.00 USD 

Lodging room block/special rate extended. Availability is first come first serve. Make sure to mention the PPC Conference Room Block. 

The XVIII International Conference on Interconnections between Particle Physics and Cosmology (PPC 2025) hosted by The Institute of Underground Science at SURF, will take place the 23rd - 28th of June 2025 at the Cadillac Jack's Resort in Deadwood, South Dakota, USA. 

PPC 2025 is an event to bring together scientists from both experiments and theory associated with particle physics and cosmology to deliberate and explore the deep interconnections between the micro and macro-worlds, connecting the structures from the smallest to the largest in the universe.

Discussions and deliberations on the recent advances in high energy physics can enrich our understanding on the early universe based on the current observations, shedding light on the earliest evolution relating to the era of inflation to the one of dark energy, in particular, the form and nature of the dark matter, dark energy, the matter dominance of the universe, the relevance of neutrinos in the evolution of the universe, and also the formation of large scale structure. Similarly, the developments in the cosmic frontier in precision cosmology, high energy astrophysics, advances in observational astronomy can provide plausible directions and impetus in model building in particle physics and looking for signals in the high energy physics experiments both at the intensity and energy frontiers.

The intent of this conference is to be a captivating and dynamic forum for engaging, thought-provoking discussions, as well as a platform for the exchange of groundbreaking ideas at the intersection of nuclear physics, particle physics, astrophysics, and cosmology.

There will be plenary talks both in theory and experiments by invitation only. In addition, there will be parallel talks and a poster session. One can submit abstracts for the parallel and poster session (accepted abstracts will be intimated at an appropriate time). 

There is a provision for conference proceedings. The details will be provided during the conference. 

To help promote the conference please share this event and print the conference posters to display at your location. 

Local Organizing Committee:

Bhaskar Dutta – Texas A&M University  

Barbara Szczerbinska – Texas A&M University Corpus Christi

Jaret Heise – Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF)

Kaladi Babu – Oklahoma State University  

Louis Strigari – Texas A&M University

Stacie Granum – The Institute for Underground Science at SURF

 

 

DEADWOOD IN A DAY .pdf

PPC2025_11x17 large poster.pdf

PPC2025_8.5x11 small poster.pdf

Sanford Underground Research Facility Overview Video

The Badlands and Black Hills of South Dakota Video

Video on The Institute for Underground Science at SURF

Mon, June 23 ¶

7:30 AM → 8:30 AM Registration - Lobby of SpringHill Suites¶

9:00 AM → 9:30 AM Welcome and Sanford Underground Research Facility Overview¶

Speaker: Mike Headley (SDSTA/SURF)

9:30 AM → 10:00 AM Plenary: Dark Matter Physics¶

Author: Nassim Bozorgnia
Presenter: Nassim Bozorgnia
Abstract: The search for dark matter is complicated due to the uncertainties in its distribution in the Milky Way. An accurate determination of the dark matter phase space distribution in the Solar neigh- borhood and throughout the galaxy is crucial for the correct analysis and interpretation of data from dark matter direct and indirect searches, respectively. High resolution cosmological simula- tions of galaxy formation provide important information on the properties of the dark matter halo. Combined with the information obtained from astronomical data, simulations can significantly im- prove our understanding of the dark matter distribution in the Milky Way and its subhalos. I will present the dark matter phase space distribution of Milky Way-like galaxies and their subhalos extracted from state-of-the-art hydrodynamical simulations. I will also discuss the implications for direct and indirect dark matter searches.

Speaker: Nassim Bozorgnia

10:00 AM → 10:30 AM Plenary: Recent Results from the KM3NeT Neutrino Telescope¶

Author: Soebur Razzaque
Presenter: Soebur Razzaque
Abstract: KM3NeT is a deep-sea research infrastructure with the main goals of studying neutrinos from the atmosphere and from the cosmos. A dense array of optical detectors, called KM3NeT/ORCA, currently being deployed in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Toulon, France, will measure fundamental neutrino properties primarily using the atmospheric neutrinos. A sparser and larger array, called KM3NeT/ARCA is also under construction off the coast of Cape Passero, South-East of Sicily in the Mediterranean Sea, that is monitoring the sky for high-energy neutrinos from the cosmos. Both ORCA and ARCA use sea water as the detection volume where faint tracks of Cherenkov-light emitting particles, created by neutrino interactions, are detected by photo- multiplier tubes.
In this talk I will present the latest results on neutrino physics and astrophysics from the partially constructed KM3NeT/ORCA and KM3NeT/ARCA, covering neutrino mass ordering, nonunitary neutrino mixing, neutrino decays, and particularly the recent detection of an ultra-high-energy neutrino event, dubbed KM3-230213A. I will discuss the main features of this event, as well as the interpretations of the event in the context of the current global scope and the constraints it imposes on models of diffuse flux from astrophysical sources.

Speaker: Soebur Razzaque

10:30 AM → 11:00 AM Coffee & Break

11:00 AM → 11:30 AM Plenary: The Search for Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay by LEGEND-200: First Results¶

Authors: LEGEND Collaboration, Aparajita Mazumdar
Presenter: Aparajita Mazumdar
Abstract: Whether neutrinos are Majorana or Dirac in nature is an important open question in modern particle physics, which could provide insight on the matter-antimatter asymmetry in the universe. The observation of Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay (0νββ), a hypothesized Beyond Standard Model decay, would conclusively establish the Majorana nature of neutrinos and demonstrate lepton number violation. The search can also constrain the absolute mass scale of the neutrinos.
The LEGEND experimental program aims to have an ultimate discovery sensitivity to a 0νββ half- life beyond 1028 years for 76Ge, which improves upon the current limits by approximately 2 orders of magnitude. Currently, the first phase of the experiment, LEGEND-200 has acquired a year of stable data with 142 kg of enriched germanium detectors. In this talk, we’ll discuss the performance, first results and current status of LEGEND-200. We’ll also briefly discuss the status of the next phase of the experimental program, LEGEND-1000.
This work is supported by the U.S. DOE, and the NSF, the LANL, ORNL and LBNL LDRD programs; the European ERC and Horizon programs; the German DFG, BMBF, and MPG; the Italian INFN; the Polish NCN and MNiSW; the Czech MEYS; the Slovak RDA; the Swiss SNF; the UK STFC; the Canadian NSERC and CFI; the LNGS and SURF facilities.

Speaker: Aparajita Mazumdar

11:30 AM → 12:00 PM Plenary: Recent Results from the PandaX Experiment and Future Plans¶

Author: Junting Huang
Presenter: Junting Huang
Abstract: PandaX is a dark matter and neutrino experiment at the China Jinping Underground Laboratory. The experiment uses a dual-phase liquid xenon TPC to search for dark matter particles and neutri- noless double-beta decay, as well as to detect astrophysical neutrinos. In this talk, recent results from the PandaX-4T experiment will be presented, including those from the latest dark matter searches, solar neutrino measurements, and neutrinoless double-beta decay searches. The plans of the PandaX program will also be discussed, including the next-generation PandaX-20T experiment.

Speaker: Junting Huang

Recent Results from the PandaX Experiment and Future Plans.pdf

12:00 PM → 1:30 PM Lunch

1:30 PM → 3:00 PM Parallel Talk: Electroweak Triplet Contributions to SO(10) Leptogenesis¶

Authors: Chee Sheng Fong, Ketan Patel
Presenter: Chee Sheng Fong
Abstract: In this talk, we will discuss electroweak triplet contribution to SO(10) leptogenesis. The main result is that as long as triplet mass is near the
right-handed neutrino mass scale, this contribution can dominate, making it essential in assessing the viability of SO(10) leptogenesis scenarios.

Speaker: Chee Sheng Fong

1:30 PM → 3:00 PM Parallel Talk: The Mu2e Experiment for Charged Lepton Flavor Violation Search at Fermilab¶

Author and Presenter: Sridhar Tripathy
Abstract: One of the many probes for Beyond Standard Model (BSM) studies is the search for Charged Lepton Flavor Violation (CLFV). The Mu2e experiment at Fermilab will search for the neutrinoless muon-to-electron conversion in the nuclear field. In Aluminum, the experimental signature of this process is a 104.97 MeV mono-energetic electron conversion. The Mu2e experiment plans to measure the ratio of muon-to-electron conversion with respect to all muon captures with a precision of 3×10−17. This would be an improvement of four orders of magnitude over the current best limit of 7×10−13 (90% CL) by the SINDRUM-II experiment. The proposed talk introduces the Mu2e design strategy, detectors, and background rejection techniques unique to this research area. Installation of components, recent R&D work, and a plan for a possible successor Mu2e-II will also be highlighted.

Speaker: Sridhar Tripathy

1:30 PM → 3:00 PM Parallel Talk: Updated Status of the DAMA Annual Modulation Dark Matter Anomaly¶

Author: Jonathan Cornell
Co-authors: BUSONI, Giorgio (University of Adelaide); HANDLEY, Will (University of Cambridge); KAHLHOE- FER, Felix (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology); KVELLESTAD, Anders (University of Oslo); PITTS,
Masen (Weber State University); STREET, Lauren (University of Cincinnati); VINCENT, Aaron (Queen’s University); WHITE, Martin (University of Adelaide)
Presenter: Jonathan Cornell
Abstract: The long-running search for particle dark matter via an annually-modulating WIMP-nucleon in- teraction has received important updates in recent years with new results from the ANAIS-112 and COSINE-100 experiments. In this paper, we quantify the tension between the reported DAMA sig- nal and ANAIS-112 and COSINE-100 in two different ways. The first is based on the effective field theory of a Dirac fermion dark matter candidate that is a singlet under the Standard Model gauge group, and which has a Maxwellian velocity distribution in the frame of the local dark matter halo. The second, more conservative approach, is to assume a generic functional form for the recoil en- ergy spectrum induced by WIMP-nucleon scattering, and reconstruct the expected signatures in ANAIS-112, COSINE-100 and DAMA. This allows the tension between experiments to be quanti- fied, but without constraints from realistic particle, nuclear and astrophysics. I will show that the DAMA result is now in substantial tension with COSINE-100 and ANAIS-112. In the case that the WIMP is able to scatter off both Na and I, a highly fine-tuned scenario can be used to reconcile the three experiments somewhat, but this presents a significant challenge to model builders.

Speaker: Jonathan Cornell

3:00 PM → 5:00 PM Reception/Social

Heavy Appetizers

Tue, June 24 ¶

9:00 AM → 9:30 AM Plenary: Neutrino Models¶

Author: Bhupal Dev
Presenter: Bhupal Dev
Abstract: We will present an overview of neutrino mass models, covering Majorana, Dirac and quasi-Dirac possibilities, and their experimental signatures.

Speaker: Bhupal Dev

9:30 AM → 10:00 AM Plenary: The SNO+ Experiment¶

Author: Tereza Kroupova
Presenter: Tereza Kroupova
Abstract: SNO+ is a multi-purpose, low-background neutrino detector located at SNOLAB, Canada. Cur- rently filled with liquid scintillator, its physics programme includes measurements of solar, reac- tor, geo-, and potential supernova neutrinos. Preparations are underway to load natural tellurium into the scintillator to enable a search for neutrinoless double beta decay (0νββ) in tellurium-130. This talk will highlight recent physics results, present the status of ongoing measurements, and outline the roadmap for the next phase of the experiment. It will conclude with a discussion of SNO+’s projected sensitivity to 0νββ and the outlook for future experimental developments.

Speaker: Tereza Kroupova

10:00 AM → 10:30 AM Plenary: The Capture of Dark Matter in Stars¶

Author: Nicole Bell
Presenter: Nicole Bell
Abstract: The capture of dark matter in stars provides a cosmic laboratory in which to study the nature of dark matter particles and their interactions under extreme conditions. We discuss the capture of dark matter in neutron stars and white dwarfs, and the heating caused by the subsequent thermalization and annihilation of that dark matter. We find that most of the dark matter’s kinetic energy is rapidly deposited in the star. Moreover, capture-annihilation equilibrium, and hence maximal annihilation heating, can typically be achieved without complete thermalization of the captured dark matter. Comparing projected sensitivities with limits from direct detection experiments, we find that neutron stars and white dwarfs provide a possible means to probe dark matter interactions that would be difficult or impossible to observe in experiments on Earth.

Speaker: Nicole Bell

10:30 AM → 11:00 AM Coffee & Break

11:00 AM → 11:30 AM Plenary: Dark Matter Signals in the Gamma-Ray Sky¶

Author and Presenter: Elena Pinetti
Abstract: In this talk, I will review recent advances in the search for dark matter through gamma-ray observations. I will discuss key results from current experiments, explore emerging detection strategies, and outline the prospects offered by upcoming surveys.

Speaker: Elena Pinetti

11:30 AM → 12:00 PM Plenary: The Cosmological Mystery of Neutrino Masses¶

Author and Presenter: Zach Weiner
Abstract: The apparent incompatibility of cosmological observations with massive neutrinos presents one of the most recent—and, from a particle-physics perspective, perhaps most concerning—cosmic conundrums. Interpreting the implications of these results requires a precise and complete understanding of which physical effects of massive neutrinos are in tension with current data. I will explain the origin of present neutrino mass bounds in not only the growth of structure but also the expansion history, which, despite being less commonly recognized, is at least as important as the former. I will then discuss the implications of this insight for possible systematics or new physics beyond the standard $\mathrm{\Lambda }$CDM model that might explain the neutrino mass tension.

Speaker: Zach Weiner

12:00 PM → 1:30 PM Lunch

1:30 PM → 3:00 PM Parallel Talk: Rapid and accurate numerical evolution of linear cosmological perturbations with non-cold relics¶

1:30 PM → 3:00 PM Parallel Talk: Detecting Exotic Particle Interaction in 137Cs Decay Through Photon-Magnetic Field Coupling¶

Author: Gunjanben Akbari
Co-author: Carol Scarlett
Abstract: This investigation examines exotic particles interacting with nuclear material, possibly generated via the Primakoff effect at the interface of photons and magnetic fields. These theorized weakly in- teracting particles (such as axions) may explain the absence of measurable neutron electric dipole moments (nEDM). The plan is to analyze 137Cs.decay patterns, we compare outcomes between two experimental configurations: one allowing photons to traverse a magnetic field (”light mode” or “sP”) and another blocking light entry (”dark mode” or “sD”). Results show a statistically sig- nificant difference (σ > 6.0) between these configurations for 241Am, specifically affecting the
661.7 keV gamma emission rate from 137mBa. Repeated trials confirm this phenomenon is ro- bust and not attributable to background variations. These findings suggest possible observation of the Primakoff mechanism with visible photons and indicate potential for developing novel instru- mentation capable of modifying nuclear decay rates. This work would be the first opportunity to confirm the 241Am results with 137Cs.

Speaker: Gunjanben Akbari

1:30 PM → 3:00 PM Parallel Talk: Toward Extracting the Scattering Phase Shift from Integrated Correlation Functions in LQCD¶

Author and Presenter: Peng Guo
Abstract: This presentation explored how the difference between interacting and non-interacting integrated two-particle correlation functions in finite volume can be related to infinite volume scattering phase shifts through an energy-weighted exponential integral, exp(-Et). Notably, the difference in integrated finite volume correlation functions converges rapidly to its infinite volume limit as the size of the periodic box increases. This offers a promising framework to address the limitations of the Lüscher formula in large-volume scenarios. Dr. Guo also outlined plans for future research involving the quantum simulation of integrated correlation functions.

Speaker: Peng Guo

3:00 PM → 3:30 PM Coffee & Break

3:30 PM → 5:00 PM Parallel Talks: "Effectively" Expanding Dark Matter Searches with Hadronic Loops¶

Authors: Joe Bramante, Christopher Cappiello, Melissa Diamond
Presenter: Melissa Diamond
Abstract: When we assume dark matter interacts with one particle in the Standard Model, we often do not realize that through loops and effective interactions, that same dark matter model usually, automatically, interacts with many other parts of the Standard Model as well. In this talk, I will discuss how we can use these loop level interactions to look for dark matter models whose direct interactions with the Standard Model are currently unobservable.

Speaker: Melissa Diamond

3:30 PM → 5:00 PM Parallel Talks: Ab Initio Nuclear Calculations for Dark Matter-Nucleus and Neutrino- Nucleus Scattering¶

Author and Presenter: Baushan Hu
Abstract: Over the past decades, ab initio nuclear calculations have made dramatic progress, especially reaching heavy mass nuclei such as 208Pb [1]. This means that it becomes possible to obtain first-principles computation (with quantified uncertainties) of quantities that even reside in the heavy-mass region. The quantities include these relevant for astrophysics and searches for physics beyond the Standard Model. In this talk, I will present a conceptual introduction to modern ab initio nuclear theory. Then, I will focus on recent advances in ab initio calculations of nuclear re- sponses for dark matter-nucleus [2] and neutrino-nucleus elastic and inelastic scattering. Finally, I will present our recent investigation of the ATOMKI anomaly using ongoing proton beam dump neutrino experiments [3].
[1]. Ab initio predictions link the neutron skin of 208Pb to nuclear forces. B.S. Hu, et al. Nat. Phys. 18, 1196 (2022). arXiv:2112.01125v1 (2021).
[2]. Ab initio structure factors for spin-dependent dark matter direct detection. B.S. Hu, et al. Phys. Rev. Lett. 128, 072502 (2022). arXiv:2109.00193.
[3]. A novel investigation of the ATOMKI anomaly. B. Dutta, W.C. Huang, B.S. Hu, R.G. Van de Water. arXiv:2410.17968.

Speaker: Baishan Hu

3:30 PM → 5:00 PM Parallel Talks: The LSND and MiniBooNE Anomalies After Recent MicroBooNe Results¶

Author and Presenter: Raj Gandhi
Abstract: LSND and MiniBooNE have provided longstanding and statistically significant evidence of anoma- lous electron-like excesses. This has led to very significant theoretical and experimental activity aimed at understanding the origin of the signals. Recent results from MicroBooNE have sharp- ened the focus of these efforts and point towards the genuine possibility of new physics, with the possible existence of a dark sector and new interactions.
In my talk I will review the current status of this important problem both from a theoretical and experimental perspective.

Speaker: Rajesh Gandhi

Wed, June 25 ¶

9:00 AM → 9:30 AM Plenary: Dark Matter and Dark Sector Searches in the First KM3NeT Data¶

Author and Presenter: SaraRebecca GOzzini
Abstract: KM3NeT is a multi-purpose neutrino observatory composed of underwater Cherenkov arrays with different geometries. Currently, two KM3NeT detectors are under construction in the Mediterranean Sea: ORCA, a compact and dense detector optimised for the high-statistic measurement of atmospheric neutrino physics, and ARCA, a set of two telescopes instrumenting a cubic kilometre to catch rare fluxes of extraterrestrial neutrinos. During its modular installation phase KM3NeT records data promptly upon deployment.
KM3NeT has an excellent performance in the reconstruction of coordinates, energy and flavour of neutrino events, and covers an energy range from the GeV to tens of PeV, opening up to a broad physics case.
Both ARCA and ORCA search for neutrinos produced in pair annihilations of dark matter, characterising the signature from sources such as the Sun and the Galactic Centre, and is in good visibility from the KM3NeT sites; presented here are results obtained with data recorded with partial detector configurations recently installed. KM3NeT also investigates indirect effects of physics beyond the Standard Model expectations, through modifications that those can induce to the flavour oscillation pattern of atmospheric neutrinos, such as non-standard interactions and neutrino quantum decoherence. The signature of heavy neutral fermions can be searched looking for double-cascade events at GeV energies, exploiting the relatively large volume (7 Mtons) densely instrumented by ORCA in its final configuration, having already avaliable 1.6 Mtons of recorded data.

Speaker: SaraRebecca Gozzini

9:30 AM → 10:00 AM Plenary: IceCube - The Experiment, Its Data and Science¶

Author: Xinhua Bai
Presenter: Xinhua Bai
Abstract: IceCube, a cubic kilometer neutrino observatory at the South Pole has accumulated an unprecedented amount of data since its completion in 2010-2011. Besides its primary science goal of neutrino astronomy, IceCube data support a variety of cutting-edge research in high-energy cosmic rays, particle interactions, neutrino physics, dark matter searches and more. This presenta- tion will review the status of the experiment and its scientific merits by highlighting several recent science results in the cosmic and energy frontiers. The on-going Upgrade and future IceCube Gen2 will be briefly introduced.

Speaker: Xinhua Bai

10:00 AM → 10:30 AM Plenary: Sub-GeV Dark Matter Direct Detection with Neutrino Observatories¶

Author and Presenter: Rebecca Leane
Abstract: I will present a new opportunity for sub-GeV dark matter (DM) detection using large-volume neutrino detectors. DM-electron scattering in an observatory can excite or ionize target molecules, which then produce light that can be detected by the photomultiplier tubes (PMTs). While individual DM scatterings are undetectable, the aggregate rate from many independent scatterings can be isolated from the total PMT dark rate using the expected DM annual modulation. This search can be employed in multiple existing and upcoming experiments, with sensitivity in some mass ranges that exceeds all other techniques and reaches key particle-theory benchmarks.

Speaker: Rebecca Leane

10:30 AM → 11:00 AM Coffee & Break

11:00 AM → 11:30 AM Plenary: The Moving Target: Direct Detection in the Light Dark Matter Landscape¶

Author and Presenter: Robert McGehee
Abstract: I will highlight recent significant improvements in the sensitivity of ongoing direct detection experiments, especially in the MeV to GeV dark matter mass range. I will interpret these results in the context of the light dark matter theoretical landscape and motivate the work theorists need to do as these experiments increasingly plumb the depths of direct detection parameter space.

Speaker: Robert McGehee

11:30 AM → 12:00 PM Plenary: Probing New Physics with Neutrinos in Direct Detection Experiments¶

Author and Presenter: Valentina De Romeri
Abstract: In this talk, I will explore the rich physics opportunities offered by solar neutrino interactions in dark matter direct detection experiments. I will begin by discussing the implications of the first indication of nuclear recoils from 8B solar neutrinos via coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CEνNS), as observed by the XENONnT and PandaX-4T collaborations. I will present the first constraints on neutrino electromagnetic properties and new neutrino interactions from those observations. I will then examine signals from elastic neutrino-electron scattering and present strong bounds on the mass and coupling of new light vector mediators.

Speaker: Valentina De Romeri

12:00 PM → 1:30 PM Lunch

1:30 PM → 3:00 PM Breakout Sessions¶

1:30 PM → 3:00 PM Parallel Talk: Gamma-Ray and Gravitational Wave Signals of Inelastic Higgs Portal Dark Matter¶

Author: Subhojit Roy
Co-authors: Dan Hooper, Gordan Krnjaic, Duncan Rocha
Presenter: Subhojit Roy
Abstract: We explore a simple and predictive dark matter scenario involving a complex scalar field, ϕ, cou- pled to the Higgs portal with no additional field content. In the UV, the field possesses a global U (1) symmetry which is broken by mass terms and Higgs portal interactions. In the mass basis, the com- plex field splits into a pair of real scalars with a small mass splitting (in analogy with pseudo-Dirac fermions), such that the Higgs portal acquires both diagonal and off-diagonal terms with respect to these eigenstates. In the parameter space where the off-diagonal interaction predominates, this scenario is safe from all existing direct detection constraints. Moreover, this model provides a vi- able explanation for the longstanding Galactic Center gamma-ray excess. Additionally, this model influences the Higgs potential in a way that could lead to a strong first-order electroweak phase transition, potentially generating a stochastic gravitational wave signal.

Speaker: Subhojit Roy

1:30 PM → 3:00 PM Parallel Talk: Probing Cosmic Neutrinos and Free-Streaming Radiation with the CMB¶

Author and Presenter: Gabriele Montefalcone
Abstract: The cosmic microwave background (CMB) provides a powerful probe of neutrinos and other rela- tivistic species in the early universe. In this talk, I will present a robust, model-agnostic framework for detecting the unique phase shift imprinted in the CMB acoustic peaks by free-streaming par- ticles. I will introduce two complementary methods, one leveraging the shifts in the observed power spectra and another extracting the phase shift directly from the underlying perturbations in the photon-baryon fluid. Applying these techniques to current CMB data from Planck, ACT, and SPT, we achieve a high-significance detection of the phase shift and confirm consistency with the Standard Model expectation of three free-streaming neutrinos. I will also discuss forecasts for upcoming experiments, namely for the Simons Observatory and CMB-S4, which will enhance the precision of this measurement, opening new avenues for testing beyond-the-Standard-Model scenarios. Finally, I will highlight ongoing work investigating how delayed neutrino decoupling – arising from dark matter–neutrino interactions or other exotic physics – could modify the phase shift and its potential imprint on future 21cm-line observations.

Speaker: Gabriele Montefalcone

3:00 PM → 4:00 PM Coffee & Break

Thu, June 26 ¶

8:00 AM → 8:20 AM Thursday Activities: APPROVED UNDERGROUND TOUR PARTICIPANTS will be picked up from the SpringHill Suites lobby and shuttled at 8:30 a.m. sharp to the Sanford Lab Visitor Center for safety training and preparations for the tour.

8:20 AM → 8:40 AM Thursday Activities: BLACK HILLS TOUR participants (fee $40) will have a free morning and then will be picked up at 12:00 p.m. from the lobby of The SpringHill Suites for the BLACK HILLS TOUR and provided a box lunch.

If you have not pre-purchased a tour ticket you will be able to do so through the Indico event registration section at any time before the tour date and time.

9:00 AM → 11:30 AM NOT GOING ON UNDERGROUND TOUR: free morning - no activities¶

9:00 AM → 9:30 AM UNDERGROUND TOUR: Shuttle from Cadillac Jack's Resort to Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center¶

9:30 AM → 10:00 AM SURF Overview¶

10:00 AM → 11:30 AM SURF Underground Safety Training, Lunch at 11:00 w/Cultural Awareness presentation¶

Speaker: Rochelle Zens (SDSTA/SURF)

11:29 AM → 11:59 AM *Box Lunch pick up in SpringHill Suites lobby for everyone NOT going on underground tour

11:30 AM → 12:00 PM Don PPE and Walk to Yates¶

12:00 PM → 5:00 PM BLACK HILLS TOUR W/ BOX LUNCH (tour fee $40)¶

12:00 PM → 3:30 PM SURF Underground Tour¶

3:30 PM → 4:00 PM Shuttle, PPE, Return to Hotel¶

6:00 PM → 8:00 PM Evening Banquet

serving meal at 6:30 p.m., plated meal.

Fri, June 27 ¶

9:00 AM → 9:30 AM Plenary: Dark Matter Searches in Neutrino Experiments¶

Author and Presenter: Doojin Kim
Abstract: The search for dark matter is one of the most compelling challenges in contemporary physics, and neutrino experiments are emerging as powerful tools in this pursuit. In this talk, I will present a broad overview of dark matter searches in neutrino experiments, focusing on two key production mechanisms: beam-produced dark matter and cosmogenic dark matter. Beam-based neutrino facilities, originally designed to study neutrino oscillations and interactions, offer unique opportunities to probe light dark matter through high-intensity proton beams and sensitive near detectors. Cosmogenic production mechanisms, including atmospheric and astrophysical sources, open complementary avenues, particularly in the context of boosted dark matter signals. I will review recent and ongoing efforts across accelerator- and non-accelerator-based neutrino experiments, highlighting the distinctive experimental signatures and detection strategies involved. Finally, I will discuss emerging opportunities at next-generation facilities, such as DUNE and Hyper-Kamiokande, where enhanced detector capabilities and high-statistics data offer the potential to explore new regions of dark matter parameter space. This presentation emphasizes the synergistic role neutrino experiments play in the broader landscape of dark matter searches.

Speaker: Doojin Kim

9:30 AM → 10:00 AM Plenary: Probing Dark Matter with White Dwarfs and Jupiter¶

Author and Presenter: Stephan Meighen-Berger
Abstract: In this talk, we present novel indirect-detection methods for constraining dark matter (DM) interactions using astrophysical bodies beyond traditional solar and terrestrial targets. First, we explore the potential of nearby white dwarfs (WDs) as probes of DM-nucleon interactions. By analyzing a sample of ten cold, isolated WDs within 13 pc and modeling their interiors, we estimate DM capture rates and derive constraints for DM annihilating via long-lived mediators. While current Fermi-LAT data reveals no excess, future gamma-ray telescopes such as CTA, LHAASO, and SWGO could reach cross-section sensitivities competitive with direct detection experiments like LZ. We also discuss the potential role of neutrino observatories and telescopes.
Second, we demonstrate that Jupiter's deep gravitational well and relatively cool core make it an efficient capture target for sub-GeV DM, particularly below the solar evaporation mass (~4 GeV). Using current and future water Cherenkov neutrino detectors, we derive the first constraints on DM annihilation in Jupiter. We find improved sensitivity over solar-based and direct detection approaches in this low-mass regime.
Together, these approaches underscore the growing importance of planetary and stellar astrophysics in the search for DM across a broad mass range.

Speaker: Stephan Meighen-Berger

10:00 AM → 10:30 AM Plenary: TBD¶

10:30 AM → 11:00 AM Coffee & Break

11:00 AM → 11:30 AM Plenary: TBD¶

11:30 AM → 12:00 PM Plenary: TBD¶

12:00 PM → 1:30 PM Lunch

1:30 PM → 3:00 PM Parallel Talk: Upscattering Inelastic Dark Matter in the Earth¶

Authors: Zamiul Alam, Christopher Cappiello, Francesc Ferrer
Presenter: Christopher Cappiello
Abstract: There are many possible reasons that we have not yet detected dark matter: it could be very weakly interacting, too light to trigger conventional detectors, or very massive and thus rare. But another possibility is that dark matter may scatter predominantly inelastically with Standard Model parti- cles. In a typical model, elastic scattering is absent at tree level, and a relatively light dark matter state must upscatter into a heavier state in order to interact at all. This introduces an energy thresh- old for scattering to even take place, and in the case that it does occur, can substantially change the kinematics of scattering in a detector. In this talk, I will discuss the excitation of inelastic dark matter in the Earth, followed by its downscattering inside a detector. Considering this process substantially extends the sensitivity of existing detectors to inelastic dark matter, in a way that relies only on scattering with nuclei. I will present new limits on inelastic dark matter based on XENON100 and XENON1T data, which extend to significantly larger mass splittings than previous bounds based on these experiments.

Speaker: Christopher Cappiello

1:30 PM → 3:00 PM Parallel Talks: Discovering Axion-like Particles (ALPs) Using CMB as a Backlight¶

Author: Harsh Mehta
Co-author: Suvodip Mukherjee
Presenter: Harsh Mehta
Abstract: Axions or axion-like particles (ALPs) are hypothetical particles predicted by various BSM theories, which also make one of the dark matter candidates. If ALPs exist in nature, the CMB photons as they pass through galaxy clusters will convert to ALPs (of mass range 10−14 to 10−11 eV), resulting in a polarized spectral distortion and a non-Gaussian anisotropy in the CMB. The resonant conver- sions dominate over the non-resonant ones, and occur when the effective masses of the photon and ALP are equal. The probability of this conversion will depend on the mass of ALPs, photon- ALP coupling constant gaγ, electron density and transverse magnetic field profiles of the clusters, as well as the photon frequency at the conversion location. If galaxy clusters are resolvable in various frequency bands, their astrophysical information can be obtained. We have developed a multi-band framework, SpectrAx, which uses radio synchrotron observations (say, with SKA), to obtain the transverse magnetic field profiles of clusters. Through X-ray observations (say, with eROSITA), their electron density and temperature profiles can be constrained. Using the spectral and spatial information of the CMB, the ALP signal from these clusters can be estimated. The clus- ters that are unresolved in various frequency bands, will create a diffused ALP background in the microwave sky. Such a signal will result in an increase in the CMB power spectrum at high mul- tipoles, following the spectrum of the ALP signal. The two regimes will enable us to probe axions using the upcoming CMB experiments, such as the Simons Observatory and CMB-S4, which will be able to provide bounds (gaγ < 4 × 10−12 GeV−1) more than an order better than the current bounds from CAST (gaγ < 6.6 × 10−11 GeV−1).

Speaker: Harsh Mehta

1:30 PM → 3:00 PM Parallel Talks: Self Consistent Thermal Resummation: A Case Study of the Phase Transition in 2HDM¶

Author: Subhojit Roy
Co-authors: Pedro Bittar, Carlos Wagner
Presenter: Subhojit Roy
Abstract: An accurate description of the scalar potential at finite temperature is crucial for studying cosmo- logical first-order phase transitions (FOPT) in the early Universe. At finite temperatures, a precise treatment of thermal resummations is essential, as bosonic fields encounter significant infrared is- sues that can compromise standard perturbative approaches. The Partial Dressing (or the tadpole resummation) method provides a self consistent resummation of higher order corrections, allowing the computation of thermal masses and the effective potential including the proper Boltzmann sup- pression factors and without relying on any high-temperature approximation. We systematically compare the Partial dressing resummation scheme results with the Parwani and Arnold Espinosa (AE) ones to investigate the thermal phase transition dynamics in the Two-Higgs-Doublet Model (2HDM). Our findings reveal that different resummation prescriptions can significantly alter the nature of the phase transition within the same region of parameter space, confirming the differ- ences that have already been noticed between the Parwani and AE schemes. Notably, the more refined resummation prescription, the Partial Dressing scheme, does not support symmetry non- restoration in 2HDM at high temperatures observed using the AE prescription. Furthermore, we quantify the uncertainties in the stochastic gravitational wave (GW) spectrum from an FOPT due to variations in resummation methods, illustrating their role in shaping theoretical predictions for upcoming GW experiments. Finally, we discuss the capability of the High-Luminosity LHC and proposed GW experiments to probe the FOEWPT-favored region of the parameter space.

Speaker: Subhojit Roy

3:00 PM → 3:30 PM Closing Remarks and Departure¶

Speaker: Dipan Sengupta

3:30 PM → 4:00 PM Due to circumstances the conference will end Friday at 3:30 p.m. (No conference activities on Saturday, June 28) - The airport shuttle will still run at original scheduled times on Saturday