Astroparticle physics >
Astroparticle physics represents one of the major research areas of the FOM institute for subatomic physics – Nikhef - in Amsterdam. The Astroparticle Physics Group is addressing several front-line research questions in this emerging interdisciplinary field: the origin of high-energy cosmic rays, the nature of dark matter and the existence (and use) of gravitational waves. By searching for charged particles, neutrinos and gravitational waves that are emitted by (exotic) compact objects in the universe such as very massive black holes, answers to the research questions listed above are being sought.
Progress in astroparticle physics depends on the availability of new instruments that can be used to search for (very) high-energy particles originating from the universe. For this reason very special observatories need to be developed, which are usually constructed in remote locations by large international collaborations.
The Astroparticle Physics Group at Nikhef is partner in several international observatories and is closely involved in the development of several new observatories that will expand the research opportunities in the next decade substantially.
More specifically, the group is involved in the following projects: Antares, KM3NeT, The Pierre Auger Observatory, Lofar, Virgo and ET.