Recently, the research team of Professor Peng Xinhua from the University of Science and Technology of China cooperated with German scientists to develop a new ultra-sensitive quantum precision measurement technology, which is used to directly search for dark matter experiment. The experimental results are at least five orders of magnitude higher than the previous best international level. The results were published in the international authoritative academic journal Nature Physics.
Ordinary matter accounts for about 15% of the mass of the universe, and the remaining 85% is dark matter. In search of these mysterious dark matter particles, several countries around the world have launched experimental exploration programs, but no direct evidence of dark matter has been found.
Recently, professor Peng Xinhua of University of Science and Technology of China has invented a new nuclear spin quantum measurement technology with ultra-high sensitivity by using a mixed vapor chamber of gaseous xenon and rubidium atoms, and realized a new nuclear spin magnetic sensor. This technique uses a laser to polarize the rubidium atomic vapor and then the spin exchange collision between rubidium and the gaseous xenon atoms.
Based on the new physical mechanism, the researchers further designed a magnetic field quantum amplifier that increased the magnetic detection sensitivity of atomic magnetometers by 100 times. Theory predicts that dark matter and the nucleus will interact very weakly, which is equivalent to applying a tiny magnetic field —— a pseudogamagnetic field on the spin of the nucleus. An ultrasensitive magnetic field detection device can be used to examine the pseudomagnetic field to look for signs of the presence of dark matter particles.
Professor Peng Xinhua’s research team used a spin amplifier to amplify the pseudomagnetic field generated by dark matter, which greatly improved the search sensitivity of dark matter, and completed the direct search of dark matter in feV-peV low energy area. The experimental results were at least 5 orders of magnitude higher than the previous best international level. Compared to the traditional large dark matter science devices, the device only needs the spatial layout of the daily desktop size.
The results demonstrate the intersection of quantum precision measurement technology and dark matter detection, which is expected to promote the development of many basic disciplines, including cosmic astronomy, particle physics and atomic and molecular physics, according to the report.
(Source: Zhejiang Daily)