Join us for the Physics Condensed Matter Seminar at 2:30 pm
Title:The Unbearable Lightness of Dark Matter
The nature of dark matter remains one of the biggest mysteries in our current understanding of the universe. As ongoing experiments continue to rule out large regions of phase space for higher-mass dark matter (e.g. WIMPs), new ideas for the direct detection of low mass (sub-GeV) are needed. In this talk I will discuss how quasiparticle phenomena in quantum materials are apt for the direct detection of low mass dark matter. I will describe our strategy of designing bespoke Hamiltonians in solid-state systems to maximally couple to well-motivated dark matter models, and how these can be realized in both existing and hypothetical materials. These range from ‘boring’ semiconductors such as Si and GaAs to more exotic systems like topological insulators and Vonnegut’s Ice-9. I will also discuss how a symmetry-enforced design strategy was used to explore QCD axion electrodynamics in a crystal. Finally, I will give a solid-state theorist’s perspective on the challenges in dark matter direct detection, and how many of the hurdles will require input and collaboration across physics, chemistry, materials science and engineering.
Join Zoom Meeting https://berkeley.zoom.us/j/99982021890?pwd=OTMyd3cwMGp5Tk9QTW1vNk9EMDJNZz09
Meeting ID: 999 8202 1890 Passcode: 954439
Location: virtual (zoom)
Speaker: Sinead Griffin
Affiliation: LBNL