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An interesting review paper of the search for DM particle(s): Direct Detection of Cold Dark Matter.
Garth
The search continues.
Garth
The search continues.Conclusions
A major program to detect the tiny energy depositions when a galactic WIMP scatters off a nucleus in an ultra-low background detector is underway. After decades of technological developments, experiments operating deep underground have reached the sensitivities to probe realistic supersymmetric particle physics models. The major questions have shifted from ’how to detect a WIMP’ to ’how can we identify its nature in case of a signal’. A combination of different detector materials, coupled to using target nuclei with and without spin, will allow to determine the particle mass, and in some cases, to distinguish among different underlying theoretical models (recent studies can be found in [51,52,53]). Needless to say, additional information from accelerators and from indirect searches could allow to determine the local density and perhaps to constrain the sub-structure of the dark matter halo. While recent best limits on WIMP-nucleon cross sections are derived from kg-size experiments, larger, 100 kg - 1 ton size detectors are already under construction. These experiments will have a non-negligible chance of discovering a heavy dark matter particle and their results will strongly influence the design of next generation detectors.
Cold dark matter refers to a type of hypothetical matter that is thought to make up a significant portion of the universe's mass. It is called "cold" because it moves at slow speeds compared to the speed of light, and "dark" because it does not interact with light. It is important because its existence helps explain various observations about the structure and evolution of the universe.
Cold dark matter is detected through indirect and direct methods. Indirect methods involve observing the effects of dark matter on visible matter, such as the gravitational lensing of light. Direct methods involve trying to detect the particles that make up dark matter, such as through particle colliders or detectors placed in deep underground locations.
As mentioned, direct detection involves trying to detect the actual particles that make up dark matter, while indirect detection involves observing the effects of dark matter on visible matter. Direct detection is more challenging as dark matter particles are difficult to detect due to their elusive nature, while indirect detection relies on observing the consequences of dark matter's gravitational pull.
Some current methods for direct detection of cold dark matter include using large particle accelerators, such as the Large Hadron Collider, to create and observe dark matter particles. Another method is to use underground detectors that are sensitive to the weak interactions of dark matter particles with regular matter.
If cold dark matter is successfully detected, it would provide strong evidence for the existence of this elusive type of matter and help us better understand the composition of our universe. It could also have implications for our understanding of gravity, as dark matter plays a crucial role in the formation of large structures in the universe, such as galaxies and galaxy clusters.