Introduction
A new experiment, the Broadband Reflector Experiment for Axion Detection (BREAD), developed by the University of Chicago and the US Department of Energy’s Fermilab, has recently revealed its first results in the search for dark matter.
What BREAD Found
While BREAD has not yet detected dark matter particles, it has provided tighter constraints on the characteristics of such particles, offering a new approach for hunting dark matter.
The Mystery of Dark Matter
Dark matter, a mysterious substance constituting about 85% of the universe’s matter, remains invisible as it does not interact with light. This invisibility poses a challenge for scientists in identifying its composition.
The Axion Hypothesis
One potential candidate for dark matter is the “axion,” a hypothetical particle with a minute mass that may interact with a “dark photon.”
BREAD’s Innovative Approach
BREAD, designed as a coaxial dish antenna, aims to capture photons and direct them to a sensor to search for specific axions. In a proof-of-concept test, BREAD exhibited high sensitivity within its intended frequency range.
Future Plans
BREAD project leaders, including David Miller from the University of Chicago and Andrew Sonnenschein from Fermilab, are enthusiastic about further experiments to enhance the sensitivity of the axion search. The upcoming full-scale BREAD experiment will be conducted at the magnet facility at Argonne National Laboratory.