European Astroparticle Physics Strategy 2017-2026 Astroparticle Physics European Consortium August 2017 European Astroparticle Physics Strategy 2017-2026 www.appec.org Executive Summary Astroparticle physics is the fascinating field of research long-standing mysteries such as the true nature of Dark at the intersection of astronomy, particle physics and Matter and Dark Energy, the intricacies of neutrinos cosmology. It simultaneously addresses challenging and the occurrence (or non-occurrence) of proton questions relating to the micro-cosmos (the world decay. of elementary particles and their fundamental interactions) and the macro-cosmos (the world of The field of astroparticle physics has quickly celestial objects and their evolution) and, as a result, established itself as an extremely successful endeavour. is well-placed to advance our understanding of the Since 2001 four Nobel Prizes (2002, 2006, 2011 and Universe beyond the Standard Model of particle physics 2015) have been awarded to astroparticle physics and and the Big Bang Model of cosmology. the recent – revolutionary – first direct detections of gravitational waves is literally opening an entirely new One of its paths is targeted at a better understanding and exhilarating window onto our Universe. We look of cataclysmic events such as: supernovas – the titanic forward to an equally exciting and productive future. explosions marking the final evolutionary stage of massive stars; mergers of multi-solar-mass black-hole Many of the next generation of astroparticle physics or neutron-star binaries; and, most compelling of all, research infrastructures require substantial capital the violent birth and subsequent evolution of our infant investment and, for Europe to remain competitive Universe. This quest is pursued using the combined in this rapidly evolving global field of research both and often complementary power of all ‘cosmic’ on the ground and in space, a clear, collective, messengers: cosmic rays, electromagnetic waves (i.e. resource-aware strategy is essential. As a relatively ‘light’ but also photons at all energies), neutrinos and new field, European astroparticle physics does not gravitational waves. Another path aims to elucidate benefit from a natural and strong inter-governmental APPEC General Assembly 2016 ii Executive Summary organisation that has a remit to drive it, in the same way as CERN, ESO and ESA help to drive their areas of APPEC Roadmap 2017 Editors specialism. This is why, in 2001, European scientific Corinne Mosese agencies founded APPEC (the Astroparticle Physics Frank Linde European Consortium). Since 2012, APPEC became a Stavros Katsanevas consortium operated on the basis of a Memorandum Job de Kleuver of Understanding with the overarching aim of Antonio Masiero strengthening European astroparticle physics and the Jake Gilmore community engaged in this field. APPEC General Assembly 2017 Apart from promoting cooperation and coordination, a crucial APPEC activity is to formulate, update and Antonio Masiero realise the European astroparticle physics strategy. Job de Kleuver Building on earlier strategies released in 2008 and Catherine De Clercq 2011, APPEC started a new roadmap process. The Laurent Favart APPEC Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) provided Panu Jalas valuable contributions to the scientific part of the Anne-Isabelle Etienvre roadmap, followed by contributions from the agencies. Berrie Giebels In April 2016 the APPEC General Assembly, in close Christian Stegmann cooperation with the SAC, organised a very well- Johannes Blümer attended and animated two-day Town Meeting in Paris open to the entire astroparticle physics community. Luke Drury This provided the key ingredients that culminated in Nando Ferroni the 21 recommendations presented in this strategy Stan Bentvelsen document, endorsed by the astroparticle community Michiel van den Hout – recommendations addressing, in addition to the Mario Pimenta scientific issues, crucial organisational aspects as Iliana Brancus well as important societal issues such as gender Livius Trache balance, education, public outreach and relations Mario Martinez with industry. The APPEC General Assembly Antonio Bueno unanimously approved them at its meeting Lars Bergstrom in Stockholm in November 2016. By acting coherently on these recommendations, Teresa Montaruli Europe will be able to exploit fully the Pascal Fischer tantalising potential for new discoveries Janet Seed that is highlighted in the second part of this Halina Abramowitz document. Eckard Elsen Victor Matveev Andy Williams Ronald Stark Mirjana Eckert-Maksic Tihomir Suric iii Contents Part 1: Strategy Recommendations Introduction 2 Scientific issues 4 Organisational issues 9 Societal issues 11 Projected annual costs 12 Part 2: Astroparticle Physics Research Landscape 1. Connecting the Infinitely Large and Infinitely Small 14 2. The Extreme Universe: a Multi-Messenger Approach 24 3. Mysterious Neutrinos 36 4. The Early Universe 44 5. The Dark Universe 48 6. Outlook 54 Part 3: Acronyms and Abbreviations 56 iv Part 1: Strategy Recommendations Introduction Astroparticle physics is the rapidly evolving - The Extreme Universe: What can we learn field of research that lies at the point where about the cataclysmic events in our Universe astronomy, particle physics and cosmology by combining all of the messengers – high- meet. Experimentally, it combines the advanced energy gamma rays, neutrinos, cosmic rays instrumentation harnessed by particle physicists and gravitational waves – that we have at our with the highest standard of imaging of the disposal? cosmos undertaken by astronomers. Theoretically, - The Dark Universe: What is the nature of Dark it connects the Big Bang Model of cosmologists Matter and Dark Energy? to the Standard Model of particle physicists; the former gives a detailed description of the evolution - Mysterious neutrinos: What are their intricate of the macro-cosmos while the latter describes properties and what can they tell us? the micro-cosmos with stunning precision. Scientifically, it aims to gain insights into long- - The Early Universe: What else can we learn standing enigmas at the heart of our understanding about the Big Bang – for instance, from the of the Universe – for example: cosmic microwave background (CMB)? APPEC member states in 2017 2 Introduction Against the backdrop of the increasing complexity, Formulated as 21 individual recommendations, the extensive running time and high capital investment goals that APPEC aspires to achieve in the decade of the experiments operated and planned by ahead are presented below. They are grouped into the European astroparticle physics community, three categories: the field organised itself in 2001 with the establishment of APPEC as its coordinating body. • scientific issues; The illustration shows APPEC’s member countries • organisational issues; and in 2017. • societal issues. APPEC published a science vision, coined the Coherent action on all 21 recommendations will ‘European Strategy for Astroparticle Physics’, in be vital to the success of the strategy set out in 2008 and its first prioritised roadmap in 2011. this roadmap document. It can only be achieved with close cooperation between the scientific Since then, the field has made revolutionary community that APPEC represents – Europe’s progress, with a highlight being the recent astroparticle physicists – and our various national discovery of gravitational waves tracing back to governments and funding agencies, the European one of the most energetic events in our Universe Commission, our partners outside Europe, those ever witnessed by humanity: the merging of working in the intimately connected fields of two black holes. The coming decade promises particle physics, astronomy and cosmology to be equally successful and significant, with an research, and the strong pillars that these three impressive arsenal of cutting-edge experiments fields of research rely on (CERN, ESO and ESA). expected to start operations that will probe deeply into the scientific questions outlined above. Astroparticle physics is a dynamic, rapidly developing field. Its scope and focus therefore Competitive European participation in this vary slightly from one country to another. Despite dynamic and exhilarating field of research requires this, the APPEC General Assembly adopted these careful prioritisation – notably regarding larger recommendations by consensus at its tenth infrastructures – and in most cases consultation meeting, held in Stockholm in November 2016. and collaboration with our global partners and Primarily, the scientific issues outlined below colleagues working in astronomy, particle physics address ‘big science’ projects whose realisation and cosmology. The construction costs and, most hinges on a concerted multinational and often importantly, the running costs of projects must be multidisciplinary strategy. Without exception, carefully scrutinised. these projects build on a vibrant ecosystem of smaller-scale experiments, innovative R&D and APPEC’s new European Astroparticle Strategy model-building rooted in national institutes, 2017-2026 takes into account the collective laboratories and universities throughout Europe. funding level expected to be available at national Crucial to the future successes of European agencies and through the EU; as such, it not only astroparticle physics, the continuation of this sets out a science vision but also aims to be a ecosystem is APPEC’s overarching priority. resource-aware