UK scientists are taking a monumental step towards uncovering the mysteries of the universe by developing the world’s largest and most advanced dark matter detector. This groundbreaking instrument aims to detect dark matter particles, which constitute around 85% of the universe’s mass but have remained elusive so far.
The ambitious project is being spearheaded by Imperial College London in collaboration with the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s (STFC) Boulby Underground Laboratory. They are part of the international Xenon Lux-Zeplin Darwin (XLZD) Consortium.
Set to be ten times the size of the current leading experiment, the LZ experiment, the new detector’s increased size and advanced technology will significantly enhance its sensitivity. This enhancement is expected to make it possible to detect a wider range of potential dark matter particles.
Professor Sean Paling, Director and Senior Scientist at STFC’s Boulby Underground Laboratory, highlighted the importance of the project, stating, “To discover, or even be able to rule out the existence of dark matter, will be an enormous leap for science and transform our understanding of the cosmos.”
The detector will be an extensive underground structure, comparable to a giant “thermos flask,” capable of holding up to 100 tons of liquid xenon. Scientists anticipate that as dark matter particles pass through the Earth, they will occasionally interact with the xenon inside the detector. These interactions are expected to produce tiny but detectable flashes of light, providing crucial evidence of dark matter particles.
The XLZD Consortium, which includes leading dark matter research groups globally, aims to build a definitive experiment to detect dark matter and explore its properties and origin. The consortium is working diligently to lay the groundwork, supported by an £8 million preliminary award from the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Infrastructure Fund.
As part of the foundational work, a team at STFC is working on developing a new underground science facility at Boulby mine. This new facility will be constructed in two stages: an initial clean manufacturing facility at about 3600 feet (1,100 meters) depth, followed by a large laboratory hall at around 4300 feet (1,300 meters) depth to house the detector.
“We are now closer than ever to making significant breakthroughs,” said Professor Paling. “As long as we come together as an international community, invest in the right instruments, and remain focused on our search, there are potential big discoveries just around the corner.”
Additionally, Professor Henrique Araújo from Imperial College London expressed excitement about the project, saying, “This foundational work by UK universities and Boulby Underground Laboratory will be crucial in deciding how best to build the experiment for success.”
The exact location for the experiment has yet to be determined, but if the project is hosted at Boulby, it would be one of the largest and most significant UK-based science projects in over 50 years, attracting international scientists to the north-east region. The experiment’s successful development would notably enhance the UK’s position in advancing scientific research and contribute substantially to global scientific endeavors.
In summary, researchers are optimistic that this new dark matter detector will not only help in detecting elusive dark matter particles but also explore other rare physics phenomena, bringing us closer to understanding the fundamental laws of the universe.