12:00-13:30

Session 1 (13:30-15:00)

Session Chair:

Zuzana, Leonie and Iman

13:30-13:40 (10 mins)

Acknowledgment of Country

ECR Committee

13:45-15:00 (80 mins)

Outreach Workshop

Jackie Bondell

15:00-15:30

Afternoon Tea

Session 2 (15:30-17:30)

Session Chair:

Robert Renz Marcelo Gregorio

15:30-16:00 (20 mins + 10 mins questions)

Keynote: Direct Detection

Lindsey Bignell

This talk will give an overview of current approaches to WIMP direct detection, with an emphasis on the detection technology. I will also highlight new detection approaches being developed to open up unexplored territory in the WIMP search.

16:00-16:25 (20 mins + 5 mins questions)

Latest Results from the XENONnT Experiment

Ananthakrishnan Ravindran

XENONnT is a multi-ton dual phase Time Projection Chamber (TPC) at LNGS, Italy, that uses Xenon to search for Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs) and other rare processes like the Coherent Elastic Neutrino Nucleus Scattering (CEvNS) of solar neutrinos, neutrino interactions with electrons, supernovae and other models of dark matter interacting with normal matter. In the past year, XENONnT became the first experiment to find an indication of CEvNS interactions produced by solar neutrinos and also published new stringent limits on the WIMP-nucleon cross section. In this talk, I will present the details about these searches and the future prospects from the experiment.

16:30-17:30 (60 mins)

ARC Funding Schemes and Application Processes

Dr Katie Cox and Misha Hutchings

17:30

Close

Evening (18:00 - 20:00)

Welcome Activity: Drinks and Food at Rooftop bar, Powerpoint karaoke

Night (23:00-00:00)

Mount Stromlo Observatory visit - Leonids meteor shower

Cancelled

7:00-9:00

Breakfast

Session 1 (9:00-10:30)

Session Chair:

Yiyi Zhong

09:00-09:15 (12 mins + 3 mins questions)

Advanced Photomultiplier Noise Classifier for the SABRE South Experiment

Sen Sam Chhun

Machine learning algorithms offer powerful new approaches to discriminating
signal from background noise in photomultiplier tube (PMT) data from dark
matter experiments. Traditional analysis methods struggle with PMT noise in the 1-2 keV region of interest for DAMA-like dark matter signals in NaI(Tl) scintillator detectors, where the low photoelectron yield makes potential dark matter signals particularly vulnerable to complex detector backgrounds. This work explores the application of supervised learning techniques, specifically Boosted Decision Trees (BDT) and Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN), to enhance signal discrimination in NaI-based detectors.
In this work, We compare the performance of BDT and CNN models trained on labelled data from a 133Ba calibration source (signal) and pure PMT noise (background). Whilst BDTs have proven effective in previous dark matter searches, CNNs offer the potential to learn complex patterns directly from raw PMT waveform data without extensive feature engineering. This capability may enable detection of anomalous signals whilst minimising data manipulation and removal, a key advantage for low-threshold searches.These techniques are being developed for the SABRE South experiment, which aims to test the dark matter-like annual modulation signal observed at 12.9σ significance by DAMA/LIBRA. Our analysis demonstrates the potential of deep learning methods to address the PMT noise challenges that have limited previous modulation searches in the critical low-energy region for NaI detectors.

09:15-09:40 (20 mins + 5 mins questions)

Robotic characterisation facility for bulk characterisation of Hyper-Kamiokande Photomultipliers

Wi Han Ng

The Hyper-Kamiokande experiment is a next-generation neutrino oscillation experiment in Kamioka designed to study CP violation in the lepton sector using the world’s largest underground Cherenkov detector, equipped with 20,000 Hamamatsu 20" PMTs. Precise detector calibration is essential to minimize systematic uncertainties, as PMT responses are highly dependent on position and angle. To address this, a robotic 6-axis PMT pre-calibration system developed in Melbourne, and deployed in Kamioka, will pre-calibrate reference PMTs before installation, improving reconstruction accuracy and reducing systematic errors. This work contributes directly to Hyper-K’s goal of measuring the CP-violating phase, through detailed understanding of PMT behavior.

09:40-10:10 (20 mins + 10 mins questions)

Keynote: Theory

John Gargalionis

This talk will give a brief introduction to the theory research theme and outline some of the theoretical activities in the Centre. I’ll highlight some common motifs in dark-matter models, and comment on the cultural shift from complete models towards more model-independent approaches.

10:10-10:40 (25 mins + 5 mins questions)

Effectively dark matter: an introduction to EFTs

Laura Fang and Ewan Wallace

Effective field theories (EFTs) provide a model-independent means to constrain BSM physics. In this talk, we will provide an introduction to the EFT formalism, techniques and applications. We will then present a case study in the setting of dark matter direct detection with a pseudoscalar mediator and outline our findings.

10:40-11:10

Morning Tea

Session 2 (11:10-12:40)

Session Chair:

Navneet  Krishnan

11:10-11:25 (12 mins + 3 mins questions)

Non-Thermal Dark Matter Production from (post-)Inflationary dynamics

Avirup Ghosh

Given the lack of conclusive experimental evidence for thermally produced dark matter (DM), non-thermal DM production mechanisms have recently attracted considerable attention. In this talk, I will discuss two distinct possibilities: (1) DM production from inflaton decays, and (2) DM production from reheaton decays. The inflaton provides a compelling framework for explaining the large-scale homogeneity and isotropy of the Universe while the reheato is an intermediate particle originating from the inflaton that can play a crucial role in establishing the standard radiation-dominated era prior to Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN). I will also discuss how, in the first scenario, Lyman-$\alpha$ forest observations, and in the second, measurements of the inflationary stochastic gravitational wave background (SGWB), can serve as powerful probes of non-thermal DM.   

11:25-11:40 (12 mins + 3 mins questions)

A new mechanism for relating the mass scale of dark matter to the proton mass in asymmetric dark matter models

Rafael E. Perez

In order to solve the dark matter coincidence problem in asymmetric dark matter models, a relation between the number density of the dark and visible sectors must be proposed together with a relation between the mass of the dark matter and the proton. In this talk, I will present a new mechanism capable of relating the dark matter and proton masses. In order for the field content to agree with observational and cosmological constraints, a new mass generating field is introduced. From this new sector, an axion solution to the Strong CP problem is found. 

11:40-12:10 (20 mins + 10 mins questions)

Careers Outside Academia - Beyond Zero Emission

Fred Hiskens

12:10-12:25 (12 mins + 3 mins questions)

Dark Matter Induced Nucleon Decay Through the Neutron Portal

Michael Verde

Asymmetric Dark Matter models typically introduce interactions that transfer baryon number between the visible and dark sectors. These interactions are often realised by coupling dark matter particles to the Standard Model through the neutron portal operator. This operator permits observable processes--known as Induced Nucleon Decays--that mimic the experimental signature of ``ordinary" nucleon decays. In this work, we reinterpret the nucleon decay searches performed by Super-Kamiokande for $n \rightarrow \pi^0 \nu$ and $p \rightarrow \pi^+ \nu$, placing bounds on Induced Nucleon Decays with a similar experimental signature. For GeV-scale dark matter, we find $\mathcal{O}(1~\rm{TeV})$ bounds on the energy scale of the effective neutron portal operator and identify viable parameter space for future nucleon decay searches to explore. 

12:25-12:40 (12 mins + 3 mins questions)

Measuring the Neutrino CP phase

Ho Man Yim

Measuring the degree of CP violation in the SM is one of the key steps towards explaining the matter-antimatter asymmetry of the universe. A brief overview of measuring CP violating with beamline and atmospheric neutrinos is presented. 

12:40-13:30

Lunch

Session 3 (13:30-15:00)

Session Chair:

Albert Kong

13:30-14:00 (20 mins + 10 mins questions)

Keynote: LHC

Jason Oliver

14:00-14:15 (12 mins + 3 mins questions)

Improving MadGraph tools for the ATLAS collaboration

Kael Kemp

In experimental particle physics, using accurate Monte Carlo event simulations is imperative. Monte Carlo event generators such as MadGraph5_aMC@NLO are used to generate a variety of physics process at the LHC. Through this work, we aim to improve and correct the MadGraph5_aMC@NLO tools used within the ATLAS Collaboration for Beyond the Standard Model physics modelling.

14:15-14:30 (12 mins + 3 mins questions)

A new angle on testing strip detectors

Aspen Anderson

With the production of detectors for ATLAS underway, it is pivotal to understand the viability of single event clusters for track reconstruction. This work presents a novel methodology for characterising the angular resolution of strip detectors using basic detection techniques. By correlating the integrated charge of cosmic rays in thick scintillators with a model of the energy loss distribution per track length, an estimation of the incident angle can be obtained. This approach demonstrates an application of rudimentary detectors in testing angular resolution.

14:30-15:00 (20 mins + 10 mins questions)

Keynote: Metrology

Michaela Fröhlich

I will give a general overview about the Advanced Metrology program, highlighting the differences between the two sub-themes.

15:00-15:30

Afternoon Tea

Illawarra Gallery

Session 4 (15:30-17:00)

Session Chair:

Antoine Cools

15:30-16:00 (20 mins + 10 mins questions)

Careers in Academia

Ciaran O'Hare

16:00-16:30 (20 mins + 10 mins questions)

Keynote: Cavity-based Direct Detection

Ben McAllister

16:30-16:55 (20 mins + 5 mins questions)

ORGAN-Low : Probing Sub-μeV Axion Dark Matter with Optimised Haloscope Design

Raj Aryan Singh

The QCD axion is a well-motivated hypothetical particle that offers simultaneous solutions to two major open questions in physics: the Strong CP problem and the nature of dark matter. If axions make up the dark matter halo of our galaxy, they may be detected through their resonant conversion into microwave photons in the presence of a strong magnetic field—a technique used in the axion haloscope.
To date, haloscope experiments have achieved impressive sensitivity at GHz frequencies, targeting axion masses in the tens of μeV range. However, a significant region of parameter space at lower frequencies (~ hundreds of MHz), corresponding to axion masses in the sub-to-few μeV range, remains largely unexplored. This is primarily due to engineering challenges in building large-volume, high-Q resonant cavities that are required to probe such low-mass axions effectively.
In this work, we present a comprehensive framework for designing and optimizing axion haloscopes operating in this lower frequency range. We explore the trade-offs involved in cavity geometry, material selection, mode structure, and coupling mechanisms, with the goal of maximizing sensitivity while maintaining experimental feasibility. Our approach includes full 3D electromagnetic simulations using COMSOL Multiphysics to identify cavity configurations that offer high form factors and scan rates.
By addressing key design challenges, our study aims to pave the way for next-generation haloscope experiments capable of probing currently inaccessible regions of axion parameter space. This would significantly enhance our ability to test the axion dark matter hypothesis at lower masses and contribute to solving one of the most profound mysteries in modern physics.

16:55-17:00 (5 mins)

Closing and Surveys

17:00

Close

Evening (17:30 - 22:00)

Social Activities:
Kingpin Arcade

BlocHaus Bouldering + Capital Brewing Co