Alessandro Trani (Niels Bohr Institute - University of Copenhagen)
Despite eight years since the initial detection of gravitational waves, the astrophysical origin of these phenomena remains elusive. Recent years have witnessed a growing interest in a novel gravitational wave formation pathway: the active galactic nuclei (AGN) channel. I will overview the main astrophysical mechanisms of gravitational wave sources formation and then describe the key features of the AGN channel, discussing our ongoing efforts in modeling compact objects within accretion disks in AGNs.
Francesco Flammini Dotti (Heidelberg University)
The dynamical evolution of massless objects in star clusters aims to explore their dynamics during the dynamical evolution of such structures, which is not easy observable in star clusters, and still not possible in dense star clusters such as globular clusters. In a star cluster, the main phenomenon we are going to focus on are the mass segregation and core collapse. I will first introduce previous works that looked into the motion of these objects, and then I will numerically explore the dynamical evolution of such objects, varying the number density of the hosting star cluster. As a final point, I will try to confute if the relative large abundance of free-floating planets in our galaxy is due to their ejected ree-floating planets. I will use NBODY6++GPU-ML (a N-body code which performs simulations with a large number of particles and massless particles, i.e., star clusters with free-floating planets) The results pinpoint how the massless particles are not particularly affected by mass segregation, but only by the central gravitational evolution of the core of the star cluster, suggesting that those particles, in relatively dense star clusters, are ejected only at much larger timescales.
Azam Zabihi (CAMK/AstroCeNt, Warsaw)
DarkSide-20k: DS-20k is the next iteration in a series of direct detection Dark Matter (DM) experiments utilizing Liquid Argon (LAr) as the detection medium. Building on the success of its predecessor, DarkSide-50 (DS-50), which deployed ∼50 kg of Underground Argon (UAr), DS-20k aims to scale up to 100 tons of UAr, presenting significant technological challenges. The DS-Mockup serves as an intermediate detector designed to demonstrate key components and feasibility for DS-20k. This talk will outline the goals and tests of the DS-Mockup, focusing on the feasibility of assembling a scaled-down version of DS-20k to validate the mechanical and electrical dimensions of the detector, essential for future advancements. Development of the Most Sensitive Dark Matter Detector with Liquid Argon: The Dark Matter Detector with Liquid Argon is being developed to enhance sensitivity to low-mass WIMPs and electron-scattering DM. The scientific goal of the project is to reduce background noise and improve detection sensitivity in three critical areas: minimizing impurities in LAr, reducing radioactivity in photodetectors, and improving understanding of LAr response. This approach could potentially extend the search for dark matter to lower mass regions, enhancing the scientific reach of next-generation detectors like DS-20k. 3Dπ: three-dimensional positron imaging: 3Dπ is a novel total-body PET scanner using liquid argon (LAr) doped with xenon (Xe) as a scintillator material. By leveraging emerging technology from dark matter detection, 3Dπ integrates time-of-flight (TOF) technology and ultra-fast readout electronics for ultra-low dose imaging. Using Monte Carlo simulations, we evaluate 3Dπ's performance in terms of noise equivalent count rate (NECR), spatial resolution, and TOF resolution, showing significant improvements over traditional PET systems. The design promises reduced scan times and radiation exposure, offering a breakthrough in PET imaging technology with applications in clinical diagnostics.
Alexander Tchekhovskoy (Northwestern University)
Abbas Askar (CAMK, Warsaw)
Luke Dones (Southwest Research Institute, Boulder, Colorado)
