DOCTORAL CANDIDATE
Ananthakrishnan R

SUPERVISORS
Sara Diglio, Institut Mines Telecom Atlantique (IMT)
Dominique Thers, Institut Mines Telecom Atlantique (IMT)
Julien Masbou, Institut Mines Telecom Atlantique (IMT)
Elisabetta Luigia Barberio, University of Melbourne (UniMelb)
Philippe Urquijo, University of Melbourne (UniMelb)

Astrophysics, Technology, Medical physics, Applied science

Ananthakrishnan’s PhD research concerns the direct detection of potential candidates for the elusive “dark matter”. The presence of dark matter has been proposed through astronomical observations, but a definite signal has yet to be discovered. Worldwide, many experiments are being conducted to detect the rare signals left behind by the interaction of these particles with “known” matter, which is described in the Standard Model of Particle Physics. One of the leading technologies today is the use of dual phase liquid Xenon Time Projection Chambers, which will allow for detection of faint signals using ultra-sensitive, low background detectors. My project mainly focuses on one such experiment, the XENONnT. I will be involved in analysing the data that is collected from the experiment, in the search for different candidates of Dark Matter and the study of future perspectives with the next generation Liquid Xenon detectors within the XLZD collaboration. I will also participate in the operations on-site at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso, Italy, where the XENONnT experiment is located.I will also be involved in the research and development of the upcoming DARWIN experiment. My research may also include collaboration with industrial partners in the development of optimized future detectors to be used in the search for Dark Matter candidates. The analysis of the XENONnT data will be conducted at SUBATECH, France, while the R&D on future detectors will take place mainly at University of Melbourne, Australia.