Introduction to Dark Matter

This open access book offers an accessible introduction, ideal for advanced undergraduates and graduate students, to the evidence and experimental searches for dark matter. A wide range of astrophysical and cosmological observations show that our universe is dominated by a new, non baryonic form of matter that binds galaxies and galaxy clusters together. This invisible substance shapes the formation of cosmic structures on the largest scales and is a cornerstone of the standard cosmological model. The book reviews what is currently known about dark matter and the evidence that supports its existence. It presents the leading particle candidates and provides an in depth overview of the main methods used to search for them. These include both direct and indirect detection techniques, as well as space based and Earth based experiments, from satellite observations to detectors housed in deep underground laboratories.