Scientists create a device to search for dark matter

Scientists have created an experimental device designed to detect dark matter, which usually does not manifest itself in any way. It is expected that it will make it possible to detect it directly near the Earth.

Dark Matter. Source: www.sciencealert.com

Dark matter near Earth

Scientists at the University of Southampton have developed a device potentially capable of directly detecting dark matter. It is generally believed that this exotic form of matter truly makes up 85% of the total mass of the Universe, but does not manifest itself in any way other than gravitational influence.

Therefore, it is usually searched for in the depths of space, peering into a cluster of galaxies and trying to see if they are being affected by something we can’t see in any part of the electromagnetic spectrum. 

However, this does not mean that dark matter is not completely around us. Scientists are still undecided about what it actually is, but have several variations of particles, some of which just have to be around us but remain invisible.

What will the experiment be?

The experiment proposed by scientists, in fact, repeats the principle of searching for dark matter by gravitational influence, but on a much smaller scale. It will be a 1.5 kg capsule that will be launched into space and left in orbit for a period of time.

Inside the capsule will be two graphite plates that levitate parallel to each other at a well-defined distance using powerful magnets. It’s being checked all the time by a high-powered laser with a beam passing between them. The idea is that if dark matter does exist, it should cause the distance between these plates to fluctuate.

Separately, it’s worth explaining why this whole structure needs to be launched into space. The fact is that similar experiments have already been done in Earth labs, and nothing was found. Therefore, the researchers suggested that dark matter particles still do not penetrate deep into the Earth’s atmosphere and it is necessary to search for them in space.

According to phys.org

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