Israeli Researchers Lead International Effort to Detect Elusive Dark Matter
An international team of researchers, spearheaded by scientists from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, has identified novel quantum materials that could significantly enhance the search for ultra-light dark matter particles. Dark matter, which constitutes the majority of matter in the universe and influences galactic gravity, remains invisible and undetected due to its inability to emit, absorb, or reflect light.
The study, published in Physical Review Letters, was led by Professor Yonit Hochberg and doctoral student Rotem Ovadia from the Hebrew University's Racah Institute of Physics, in collaboration with Dr. Dino Novko from the Institute of Physics in Croatia and Professor Antonio Politi from the University of L'Aquila in Italy. Their interdisciplinary approach combined knowledge from particle physics, condensed matter physics, and materials science.
Because light dark matter particles leave only minuscule energy traces upon interacting with ordinary matter, their detection requires exceptionally sensitive instruments. The researchers pinpointed three quantum materials, titanium diselenide (TiSe₂), strontium ruthenate (Sr₂RuO₄), and positively doped diamond, possessing unique electronic properties that can naturally amplify these faint signals. Advanced quantum simulations demonstrated that detectors based on these materials, particularly titanium diselenide, could achieve sensitivity hundreds to thousands of times greater than current state-of-the-art detectors.
A significant advantage identified is the materials' directional sensitivity, meaning their response varies with the angle of particle impact. As the Earth rotates, this property would create predictable daily fluctuations in the measured signal, enabling researchers to distinguish genuine dark matter signals from background noise. Professor Hochberg stated, "Dark matter remains one of the biggest mysteries in physics. To reveal its nature, we need to rethink not only the particles we are looking for, but also the materials we use to search for them." The identified quantum materials are producible with existing technologies and could be integrated into advanced detection systems soon, opening a new research frontier.
Professor Hochberg concluded, "It is amazing to see how combining different scientific fields can lead to scientific breakthroughs. When we join forces and work together, we can go far."
