Particle Dark Matter: the state of the art

Abstract

Although well established observations on cosmological, cluster, and galactic scales strongly suggest the existence of dark matter (DM), our understanding of its non-gravitational properties is still lacking. I review basic aspects of particle dark matter and detection strategies, outlining the state of the art for searches in direct detection experiments, indirect observations, and particle production at colliders. A particular focus is dedicated to recent experimental results which could have provided hints for unveiling the DM nature.

Comments: Review talk presented at Vulcano 2010 workshop (Vulcano, May 2010). To appear in "Frontier Objects in Astrophysics and Particle Physics", F. Giovannelli & G. Mannocchi (eds.)