Dark Matter Searches with the LUX-ZEPLIN Experiment at Penn State University

Theory program: The goal of the theoretical effort is to improve our understanding and extend our knowledge of particles, forces, space-time, and the universe. Proposed work will (1) improve our understanding of and ability to use perturbative quantum field theory by pushing the present limits of our understanding of scattering amplitudes; expanding the applicability of modern methods for constructing loop integrands, performing loop integration, and understanding loop integrals to a wider class of more realistic quantum field theories; to generate and explore new theoretical data about large classes of previously unreachable scattering amplitudes; and to discover new, unanticipated simplicities therein; (2) explore new types of observables (e.g tau neutrino detection) for present and proposed neutrino detectors that will increase physics knowledge and understanding; identify analysis frameworks that optimize computational efficiency with the precision needed to understand the underlying physics effects; understand degeneracies between different standard and potential new physics effects and how they can be resolved with different types of observables in a global analysis; (3) better understand classical gravitational interactions of macroscopic bodies with and without spin; develop new methods for quantum and classical calculations in flat and curved spaces and develop a unified framework connecting simultaneously the perturbative dynamics and solutions of field equations of gauge and gravitational theories; understand the consequences of duality symmetries and their anomalies; uncover novel relations between distinct classes of complex manifolds; understand color/kinematics duality for solutions of field equations.