Tim Zimmermann is a PhD Candidate at UiO and is part of the research group Cosmology and Extragalactic Astrophysics. He has a BSc and MSc from Heidelberg University. Zimmermann's research interest focuses around the dynamical behavior and observable consequences of alternative dark matter models such as ultralight dark matter.
The role of dark matter, as an essential ingredient to the standard model of cosmology, is a rarely disputed fact in the scientific community. Although, a variety of observations provide convincing evidence for its existence, its fundamental character remains largely elusive. The lack of evidence for the correctness of Cold Dark Matter (CDM) - our best effective theory - on sub-galactic scales combined with recent "null results" in detecting the particle physics candidate for CDM justifies why alternative dark matter models remain an active field of research.
In this talk, Zimmermann will focus on Ultralight Dark Matter (ULDM) as a particular interesting alternative theory for the dark sector. We will explore its most exciting features, i.e. (i) the emergence of nonlinear wave phenomena and (ii) the suppression of matter structures due to a cosmic uncertainty principle, by means of a number of simulations based on a 1D surrogate model that he developed. This will allow us to understand qualitatively how ULDM may solve certain aspects of the CDM small scale crisis. He will finish with a short discussion on the viability of ULDM given recent constraints on its parameter space and where we go from here.
Program
11:30 – Doors open and lunch is served
12:00 – "Fuzzy Dark Matter: What it is and why we care" by Tim Zimmermann (PhD Candidate, Cosmology)
This event is open for all PhD candidates and postdocs. No registration needed.
About the seminar series
Once a month, dScience will invite you to join us for lunch, soft drinks and professional talks at the Science Library. In addition to these, we will serve lunch to PhD candidates in our lounge in Kristine Bonnevies hus every Thursday. Due to limited space (40 people), this will be first come, first served. See how to find us here (download).
Our lounge can also be booked by PhDs and Postdocs on a regular basis, whether it is for a meeting or just to hang out – we have fresh coffee all day long! Read more about the seminar series here.