A team of scientists from the University of Nottingham’s School of Physics has developed a cutting-edge 3D printed vacuum system with the goal of trapping dark matter in order to detect domain walls. This groundbreaking experiment, detailed in a study published in Physical Review D, aims to shed light on the mysteries of the universe by exploring the nature of dark matter and dark energy, which make up the vast majority of the cosmos. Dark matter and dark energy are invisible to the naked eye, but their effects on the universe can be observed through various phenomena, such as the acceleration of the expansion of the universe. By introducing ultra-cold lithium atoms into the vacuum system and observing the resulting effects, the researchers hope to gain insight into the nature of dark matter and dark energy.
Professor Clare Burrage, one of the lead authors on the study, explains that dark matter is the missing mass in galaxies, while dark energy can explain the acceleration of the universe’s expansion. The researchers are specifically interested in studying scalar fields, which could potentially be responsible for either dark matter or dark energy. By manipulating the density of gas in the vacuum system and introducing ultra-cold atoms, the scientists aim to create conditions in which defects known as dark walls, which are related to scalar fields, can be detected. These dark walls are similar to fault lines that form when certain conditions are met, and their presence could provide valuable insights into the nature of scalar fields and their role in the universe.
The 3D vessels used in the experiment are designed based on the theory that light scalar fields undergo density-driven phase transitions, leading to the formation of dark walls. These defects are not visible to the naked eye, but their presence can be inferred from the behavior of particles passing through them. The vacuum system created by the researchers allows them to mimic transitions from dense to less dense environments, creating conditions in which dark walls can potentially be trapped and detected. By cooling lithium atoms to extremely low temperatures using laser photons, the scientists can manipulate the atoms’ quantum properties and analyze their behavior with high precision.
Associate Professor Lucia Hackermueller, who led the design of the laboratory experiment, highlights the unique features of the 3D printed vessels used in the vacuum system. The vessels were constructed based on theoretical calculations of dark walls, resulting in an optimized shape, structure, and texture for trapping dark matter. The experimental setup involves letting a cold atom cloud pass through the dark walls and observing how the cloud is deflected, providing evidence of the presence of these defects. By cooling atoms with laser photons, the researchers are able to slow down the atoms’ energy, allowing for more accurate analysis of their quantum properties.
The construction of the vacuum system and the design of the experiment took the team three years to complete, and they anticipate having results within a year. Dr. Hackermueller emphasizes the significance of this research in advancing our understanding of dark energy and dark matter, highlighting the importance of well-controlled laboratory experiments in directly measuring phenomena that are otherwise unobservable in the universe. Whether the experiment proves the existence of dark walls or not, the results are expected to provide valuable insights into the fundamental forces at play in the cosmos and contribute to ongoing efforts to unravel the mysteries of the universe.