The Axion Dark Matter eXperiment: From Current Sensitivity to Next-Generation Improvements

Abstract

The Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) axion is one of the most compelling dark matter candidates, simultaneously addressing the strong CP problem and the nature of dark matter. With the implementation of dilution refrigerators and quantum amplifiers, the Axion Dark Matter eXperiment (ADMX) has achieved sensitivity sufficient for potential discovery within certain axion mass ranges using the state-of-the-art Sikivie haloscope. However, with the current technologies, fully exploring the well-motivated axion mass range, spanning over three orders of magnitude, would require more than a century. Therefore, it is essential to both continue data acquisition with the existing apparatus, which already has discovery potential, and to pursue the development of new detector technologies and experimental designs to accelerate mass coverage. In this talk, the speaker will present an overview of the ADMX collaboration's ongoing efforts in both directions. 


About the Speaker

Dr. ZHANG Dan uses precision experiments to probe new particles beyond the Standard Model, particularly candidates that could explain dark matter. She is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Washington, where she searches for QCD axion dark matter with the Axion Dark Matter eXperiment (ADMX). She will join the University of California, Riverside in 2027 as an Assistant Professor, continuing her research on axion dark matter.

She earned her PhD in physics from the University of Maryland, College Park, in 2022 and her BS in physics and astronomy from Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 2017. During her doctoral research, she searched for weakly interacting massive particles and fermionic dark matter using the PandaX liquid xenon detectors.


About the Center for Fundamental Physics

For more information, please refer to https://iascfp.hkust.edu.hk/.


For Attendees' Attention

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