Speaker: Emanuele Castorina (University of Milan) - Title: Probing the nature of Dark Matter with the Large Scale Structure of the Universe
2026-05-14 16:00 - 17:00 UTC
Research Progress Meeting
Date: May 14, 2026
Time: 4:00- 5:00 pm
Location: Sessler Conference Room- 50A-5132 [In-Person and HYBRID]
Speaker: Emanuele Castorina (University of Milan)
Title: Probing the nature of Dark Matter with the Large Scale Structure of the Universe
Abstract: In the standard cosmological model, the main non-baryonic component is defined by its acronym: Cold Dark Matter (CDM). In this talk I will show how measurements of the clustering of galaxies on scales larger than roughly 10 Mpc can place leading constraints on the physical properties behind each one of the acronym’s letters, provided non-linearities in the matter distribution due to new physics are properly modeled via effective theories. Worked out examples will include ultra-light axions, strong kinetic coupling at late times, and tests of the equivalence principle in the dark sector.
https://lbnl.zoom.us/j/98854322464?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 988 5432 2464

Passcode: [REDACTED]

Speaker: Chelsea Bartram (Stanford) - Title: Dialing into the Dark Matter with Novel Quantum Techniques
2026-05-28 16:00 - 17:00
Research Progress Meeting
Date: May 28, 2026
Time: 4:00- 5:00 pm
Location: Sessler Conference Room- 50A-5132 [In-Person and HYBRID]
Speaker: Chelsea Bartram (Stanford)
Title: Dialing into the Dark Matter with Novel Quantum Techniques
Abstract: The QCD axion is a well-motivated dark matter candidate that could solve the strong CP problem. The axion haloscope, which leverages the inverse Primakoff effect, renders the QCD axion ‘visible’ — if it exists. Still, finding the QCD axion is no trivial matter. The QCD axion could span up to 13 orders of magnitude in mass space. Searches at higher masses suffer from the problem of scaling the detectors to smaller volumes, and thus, smaller signal powers. Searches at lower masses suffer from the need to achieve sensitivity to much smaller axion-photon couplings. I will discuss major efforts to cover the axion parameter space, including the Axion Dark Matter eXperiment (ADMX) and DMRadio searches. Further, I will explain some proposed enabling technologies for accelerated searches. It is clear new direct detection techniques are needed to cover such an expansive parameter space. In this talk, I present a novel technique for improved impedance matching to wave-like dark matter. It is known that an RLC resonator is well-suited to axion direct detection. We propose an alternative circuit that replaces the capacitance with a ‘negative inductance’ to cancel reactance over a wider range of frequencies. Using the unique properties of a Josephson junction, we show that we can achieve broadband reactance cancellation via simulation. I will discuss our preliminary understanding of the stability and operation of the circuit. To our knowledge, this circuit represents the first implementation of a Josephson junction in a non-Foster circuit, which uses an active component to evade the Bode-Fano limits on the bandwidth of a match. The Josephson junction must be operated in a cryogenic environment; thus, its implementation in a non-Foster circuit is well-suited for axion searches that require low physical temperatures.
https://lbnl.zoom.us/j/98854322464?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 988 5432 2464

Passcode: [REDACTED]

Speaker: Marina Artuso (Syracuse) - Title: LHCb at the frontier of flavor physics: the three movements of the flavor sonata
2026-07-16 16:00 - 17:00
Research Progress Meeting
Date: July 16, 2026
Time: 4:00- 5:00 pm
Location: Sessler Conference Room- 50A-5132 [In-Person and HYBRID]
Speaker: Marina Artuso (Syracuse)
Title: LHCb at the frontier of flavor physics: the three movements of the flavor sonata
Abstract: The LHCb experiment is the first experiment designed to study interesting decays of the b and c quarks at a hadron machine. Currently it is taking data in its “Upgrade I” design and has successfully demonstrated the capabilities of the innovative software trigger, that allows to enhance the physics reach beyond the prospects offered by an increase in luminosity. The data set from its first data taking cycle is still being exploited, while many physics results from the upgraded detectors are under way. In addition, an ambitious upgrade is planned for operation at the HL-LHC. Highlights from the recent physics results, immediate prospects and upgrade plans will be presented.
https://lbnl.zoom.us/j/98854322464?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 988 5432 2464

Passcode: [REDACTED]

Speaker: José Bernal (IFCA) - Title: Line-Intensity Mapping: progress and lessons learned
2026-07-30 16:00 - 17:00
Research Progress Meeting
Date: July 30, 2026
Time: 4:00- 5:00 pm
Location: Sessler Conference Room- 50A-5132 [In-Person and HYBRID]
Speaker: José Bernal (IFCA)
Title: Line-Intensity Mapping: progress and lessons learned
Abstract: Line-Intensity mapping (LIM) uses the integrated flux along the line of sight as tracer of the LSS. Using relatively low-aperture telescopes, it recovers radial information targeting known spectral lines discarding the continuum emission, which makes the experiments cheaper compared with galaxy surveys. Mapping the intensity fluctuations of an array of lines from HI 21cm to optical-UV lines offers a unique opportunity to probe redshifts well beyond the reach of other cosmological observations, access regimes that cannot be explored otherwise, and exploit the enormous potential of cross-correlations with other measurements. This promises to deepen our understanding of various questions related to galaxy formation and evolution, cosmology, and fundamental physics. In this talk I will cover the current status of LIM, focusing on recent developments of the HETDEX and MeerKLASS collaborations and the lessons learned in this pathfinder stage that must be applied for future, larger surveys.
https://lbnl.zoom.us/j/98854322464?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 988 5432 2464

Passcode: [REDACTED]

Speaker: Diego Tonelli (INFN) - Title: First measurement of decay-time-dependent CP violation in B0->pi0pi0 decays
2026-09-01 16:00 - 17:00
Research Progress Meeting
Date: September 1, 2026
Time: 4:00- 5:00 pm
Location: Sessler Conference Room- 50A-5132 [In-Person and HYBRID]
Speaker: Diego Tonelli (INFN)
Title: First measurement of decay-time-dependent CP violation in B0->pi0pi0 decays
Abstract: The Belle II experiment at the SuperKEKB e+e- collider is pushing the intensity frontier with unprecedented instantaneous luminosities. With the world’s largest Y(4S) data set, the experiment combines abundant data, advanced detector performance, and novel analysis methods to open new opportunities to advance quark-flavor physics. I report the first measurement of mixing-induced charge-parity (CP) violation in B^0 to pi^0 pi^0 decays, a critical input for constraining the quark-mixing angle phi_2 ( or alpha). While traditionally deemed impossible without an order of magnitude more data, this measurement is achieved using a novel technique enabled by the SuperKEKB large-crossing angle, small interaction region and the Belle II pixel detector’s vertex resolution. By exploiting the quantum entanglement of the B^0B^0-bar pair from Upsilon(4S) decays, the method uses only the companion B decay time to infer the signal CP parity.
Using 170 signal events reconstructed from a 0.4 ab^-1 sample, we determine the mixing-induced CP asymmetry, significantly improving phi_2 constraints from B to pi pi decays. This technique unlocks future time-dependent CP-violation measurements for final states without reconstructible decay vertices.

Slides: Slides are linked here.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://lbnl.zoom.us/j/95679892182?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 956 7989 2182
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Speaker: Aaron Manalaysay (LBNL) - Title: Who ordered that? An anomalous event in a search for high-energy nuclear recoils in LZ
2026-09-10 16:00 - 17:00
Research Progress Meeting
Date: September 10, 2026
Time: 4:00- 5:00 pm
Location: Sessler Conference Room- 50A-5132 (Hybrid)
Speaker: Aaron Manalaysay (LBNL)
Title: Who ordered that? An anomalous event in a search for high-energy nuclear recoils in LZ
Abstract: The LUX-ZEPLIN experiment (LZ), managed by LBL, employs the world’s most sensitive WIMP dark-matter detector. Seven tonnes of ultra-pure liquid xenon (LXe) are instrumented to detect scintillation and ionization signals from incoming particles, along with two veto detectors to tag background signals. Though typical WIMP searches focus on low-energy interactions of O(1-10 keV), there are viable, generic models in which these low-energy scatters are suppressed, leaving higher energy O(>=100 keV) recoils as the dominant signal from a WIMP scatter. Additionally, background rates are greatly reduced at these high energies compared to at low energies. Analyzing 220 live days of data, we observe one event that is consistent with a 250 keV nuclear recoil, in significant tension with our background models.
https://lbnl.zoom.us/j/98854322464?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 988 5432 2464

Passcode: [REDACTED]

Speakers: Simon Knapen and Jens Osterhoff (LBNL) - Title: The physics of high energy plasma wakefield colliders.
2026-09-17 16:00 - 17:00
Research Progress Meeting
Date: September 17, 2026
Time: 3:30- 4:30 pm [Note 3:30 start time]
Location: Sessler Conference Room- 50A-5132 (Hybrid)
Speaker: Simon Knapen and Jens Osterhoff (LBNL)
Title: The physics of high energy plasma wakefield colliders.
Abstract: We report on a joint Physics–ATAP study on the requirements for future plasma wakefield colliders. A central element of the study is detailed particle-in-cell modeling of the beam–beam interaction, which characterizes beamstrahlung, disruption, pair production, and the luminosity spectrum under the extreme beam parameters. These results feed directly into progress on detector concepts capable of operating in the resulting backgrounds. We will also summarize the developing physics case that sets the energy and luminosity targets. Because positron acceleration in plasma remains the a severe open problem, we study e⁻e⁻, γγ, and e⁺e⁻ options on equal footing.
https://lbnl.zoom.us/j/98854322464?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 988 5432 2464

Passcode: [REDACTED]

Special RPM: Academic Career Panel
2026-10-01 15:00 - 17:00
Special Research Progress Meeting – note special time and location.
Date: October 1, 2026
Time: 3:00- 5:00 pm
Location: Building 50 Auditorium (hybrid)
Panelists:
TBA

Title: Academic Career Panel
Summary: The Academic Career Panel will focus on the faculty job application and interview process. The event is especially geared toward postdocs preparing to apply for national lab or university faculty positions, but everyone is welcome to attend. Panelists will include LBNL senior scientists and faculty members from UC Berkeley and neighboring universities, who will share their experiences and answer questions about pursuing academic careers. Attendees are encouraged to bring questions about any aspect of the academic job process.
https://lbnl.zoom.us/j/98854322464?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 988 5432 2464

Passcode: [REDACTED]
