By increasing the bandwidth of searches, scientists have taken a serious step towards figuring out the elusive particles which will make up over 1 / 4 of the universe
Darkish matter makes up over 25% of the universe’s mass, holds galaxies collectively, and is crucial to our understanding of cosmic construction. It doesn’t work together with mild or different electromagnetic radiation, and is detectable solely by way of its gravitational results. Whereas astrophysical and cosmological proof confirms its presence, its true nature stays one of many biggest mysteries in fashionable physics.
A number one principle means that darkish matter consists of extraordinarily mild, elusive particles known as axions. Conventional axion searches depend on narrow-band resonance strategies, which require gradual, step-by-step scanning throughout potential axion plenty, making the method time-consuming.
On this research, researchers introduce a brand new broadband quantum sensing method utilizing an alkali-21Ne spin system, which works like a really delicate antenna to hear for indicators from darkish matter. They establish two distinct methods the system behaves beneath completely different circumstances. At low frequencies, the spin system naturally adjusts itself to cancel out noise or negative effects. This self-compensation makes the system secure and delicate, even with out fine-tuning. It’s like a automobile that routinely balances itself on a bumpy highway, you don’t have to steer always. At increased frequencies, the system enters a state the place the spins of various atoms resonate collectively. This resonance boosts the sign, making it simpler to detect tiny results brought on by darkish matter. Like two musical devices taking part in in concord, the mixed sound is louder and clearer. This permits researchers to considerably broaden the search bandwidth with out sacrificing sensitivity.
Their experiment covers an unlimited frequency vary, from very gradual oscillations (0.01 Hz) to very quick ones (1000 Hz), enabling a complete seek for axion-like darkish matter. They set new constraints on how axions would possibly work together with neutrons and protons. For neutrons, they reached a sensitivity that beats earlier astrophysical limits in some frequency ranges. For protons, they achieved the most effective lab-based constraints in particular frequency bands.
This work not solely advances the seek for darkish matter but additionally opens new frontiers in atomic physics, quantum sensing, and particle physics, providing a robust new technique to discover the invisible material of the universe.
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Darkish matter native density dedication: latest observations and future prospects by Pablo F de Salas and A Widmark (2021)
