Mystery of Dark Matter may be Solved Deep Within a Yorkshire Mine

The search for one of the most intriguing mysteries in astronomy is set to intensify, as physicists from various experimenter groups collaborate on the DARWIN/XLZD project. This ambitious endeavour, designed to shed light on the elusive nature of dark matter, is slated to take place at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso (LNGS) in Italy.

The planned experimental site is a significant step forward, as preparations and site assessments are underway to establish the underground infrastructure necessary for the experiment. The proposed instrument, a merger of different groups of experimenters, will contain up to 60 tonnes of xenon, a substance chosen for its ability to react with dark matter particles.

A very tiny fraction of these particles should score a direct hit on a xenon atom, producing a burst of light that can be seen. This is the key to the experiment, as it offers the potential for direct detection of dark matter. However, it's important to note that detecting more collisions with these ghostly particles could indicate the detection of neutrinos rather than dark matter.

The Boulby Mine in North Yorkshire is a candidate for the next experiment's location, especially for a major UK contribution. Funding for the next experiment is still being sought, and a final location has yet to be selected.

The DARWIN/XLZD experiment is the last in a series offering the best chance of directly detecting dark matter. Previous experiments, such as XENONnT, situated in the Gran Sasso lab under a mountain not far from Rome, have only managed to detect fewer than five events per year, not enough to help us find dark matter conclusively.

The existence of dark matter is supported by observations of galaxies, clusters of galaxies, and the Universe as a whole. The fact that these celestial bodies behave as if they contain more matter than can be accounted for by visible matter alone is strong evidence for the presence of dark matter.

Neutrinos, though nearly massless and fast-moving, can interact with normal matter. In more sensitive detectors, neutrinos could swamp any dark matter signal. However, the DARWIN/XLZD experiment is designed to overcome this challenge, providing a promising avenue for unraveling the mystery of dark matter.

The quest to understand dark matter is far from over, but the DARWIN/XLZD experiment offers a beacon of hope. It's a step towards a more comprehensive understanding of the universe, and it's a testament to the relentless pursuit of knowledge by physicists worldwide.