Diamond detectors could aid the search for dark matter
The particles could be spotted when they slam into electrons or atomic nuclei in the crystals
A new idea for detecting dark matter really sparkles.
Diamonds could be used to search for the mysterious substance, a team of scientists suggests. Detectors containing the crystals could spot potential dark matter particles with relatively low masses, the researchers report in the June 15 Physical Review D.
Dark matter is an unidentified substance that scientists think must exist to explain cosmic observations such as the speeds at which stars move in galaxies. The most popular idea has been that dark matter consists of subatomic particles known as WIMPs, or weakly interacting massive particles. But extensive searches for those massive WIMPs have come up empty (SN: 11/12/16, p. 14).