Scientists closer to finding dark matter
Thursday, 16 Oct 2008 01:44
Scientists are closer to finding dark matter, which makes up much of the Universe
Researchers may be closer to detecting dark matter, the mysterious matter that scientists believe makes up the majority of the observable universe.
A team in Canada have discovered a significant difference between the acoustic signals induced by neutrons and alpha particles in a PICASSO detector – which could lead to an improvement in experiments.
Experiment spokesperson Viktor Zacek said: "When we looked at our calibration data taken with neutrons and compared them with our alpha background data we saw a peculiar difference which we attributed first to some detector instabilities or gain drifts in our electronics.
"However when we checked the data and refined the analysis the discrimination effect became even more pronounced."
The detector finds it difficult to distinguish between alpha particles, a type of radiation common on earth, and dark matter's weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs).
Teams from all over the world are working deep underground in an attempt to detect WIMPs but disagree on the best method.
However, the breakthrough by the PICASSO team could help scientists differentiate dark matter interactions from ordinary matter.
Scientists theorise that 23 per cent of the Universe is made up of dark matter – different from the matter with protons, neutrons and electrons that we are accustomed to.
Discovering dark matter would strengthen theories of how the universe began and scientists are also using the Large Hadron Collider in Geneva in the hunt for proof.