2025
Funding for Manuel Meyer
Manuel Meyer has received DKK 3.168.000 from the Independent Research Fund Denmark for the project "Realizing Ultra-low Backgrounds for Cryogenic Single Photon Detectors for Axion Dark Matter Searches".
Detecting dark matter (DM) particles — believed to make up more than 80% of all matter in the universe — remains one of the most fundamental problems in physics. One of the most promising DM candidates is the axion, which can be detected in high-precision experiments far smaller than particle accelerators, through a rare process where axions are converted into electromagnetic radiation in a strong magnetic field. An example is so-called “light-through-a-wall” experiments, where powerful lasers pass through a magnetic field. Some of the photons are converted into axions that cross an opaque barrier and are then converted back into photons in a magnetic field on the other side. This conversion is expected to produce about one photon per day, requiring detectors with extremely high efficiency and very low background noise. Such performance may be achieved with single-photon detectors operating below -271 °C. Meyer’s goal is to reduce detector background to record-low levels, enabling experiments to search for axions. To achieve this, the project will develop a cryogenic optical filter that blocks photons of the wrong wavelength. The filter will also have applications beyond dark matter research — for instance, in quantum information technology.
New short talk about Gamma-ray astrophysics
Bartil Dorch and Atreya Acharyya take a moment to talk about Atreya's research on Gamma-rays among other things. You can watch the talk and get wiser on some complicated astrophysics in just about 10 minutes. See it all here:
International Cosmic Ray Conference
This summer two representatives from the Manuel Meyer Research Group participated in the ICRC in Geneva. Both presented their novel results, and one won the award for best poster. Well done Atreya Acharyya, and huge congratulations to Sara Porras Bedmar.
Get a glimps of the whole thing at LinkedIn.
Project RATATOSK
Project RATATOSK, a student-led project involving engineering, physics, and computer science students from the University of Southern Denmark and Aarhus University, is part of the REXUS/BEXUS programme organized by DLR, SNSA, ESA, SSC, and MORABA. The project focuses on a twofold experiment for a stratospheric balloon launch, developing a thermal camera for animal tracking and an x-band telecommunication link.
Recently, the team took part in a Critical Design Review (CDR) at the European Space Agency’s ESTEC facility in the Netherlands, where they presented their progress and plans for the mission (see photo below). The team is now moving forward with the next steps in preparation for the upcoming launch in beginning of October 2025.
Article about Manuel Meyer
Read more about Manuel in this article: Hunting Dark Matter Particles in the University Basement.
2024
Get an introduction to Einstein's Universe
Sofie Marie Koksbang delivered a talk about Einstein, the universe, observations and mysteries in December 2024. See it here (youTube).