International researchers utilize atomic clocks and laser networks to detect subtle fluctuations in dark matter fields, opening new avenues for understanding this elusive cosmic component.
A team of international researchers has developed a novel approach to unravel the mysteries of dark matter in the cosmos. Led by University of Queensland PhD student Ashlee Caddell and in collaboration with Germany's metrology institute Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), the study explored the use of atomic clocks and cavity-stabilized lasers in their search for dark matter .
'Despite numerous theories and experiments, scientists remain without a definitive discovery of dark matter, which we often conceptualize as the 'glue' of the galaxy, holding everything together,' Ms. Caddell explained. 'Our investigation employed a distinct methodology - analyzing data from a network of ultra-stable lasers interconnected by fiber optic cables, as well as from two atomic clocks positioned aboard GPS satellites.' The researchers meticulously measured changes in the wave pattern of these lasers, conceptualized as the atomic clocks displaying different times or ticking at varying rates. The strength of this effect intensifies as the distance between the clocks increases. This innovative approach allowed them to search for forms of dark matter that had previously evaded detection due to their invisibility—emitting no light or energy. 'By comparing these precise measurements across vast distances, we identified subtle fluctuations in oscillating dark matter fields that would ordinarily cancel themselves out in conventional experimental setups,' Ms. Caddell stated. 'Remarkably, we were able to investigate signals from dark matter models that interact universally with all atoms, a feat that has eluded traditional experiments.'University of Queensland physicist and co-author Dr. Benjamin Roberts emphasized the significance of this breakthrough, stating that it brings researchers closer to comprehending one of the universe's most enigmatic and fundamental components. 'Scientists can now delve into a broader spectrum of dark matter scenarios and potentially answer fundamental questions concerning the very fabric of the universe,' Dr. Roberts elaborated. 'This research also underscores the power of international collaboration and cutting-edge technology, leveraging PTB's state-of-the-art atomic clocks and UQ's expertise in combining precision measurements and fundamental physics.
DARK MATTER ATOMIC CLOCKS LASERS COSMOLOGY EXPERIMENT
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