Progress & Promise in the Hunt for Dark Matter
Dark matter remains one of science’s greatest mysteries. Though astrophysical evidence confirms its existence, its nature is still unknown. Solving this challenge requires advancing both established detection methods and innovative new technologies. This Special Issue highlights cutting-edge tools shaping the next phase of dark matter research. Large-scale experiments—such as multi-ton xenon and argon detectors, cryogenic bolometers, and directional platforms—are reaching unprecedented sensitivity to weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs). Meanwhile, breakthroughs in quantum materials, superconducting sensors, and optomechanical systems are opening complementary paths to explore lighter dark matter and rare interactions. Together, these approaches showcase a converging frontier, where large-scale and quantum-enabled techniques unite to expand discovery potential and deepen our understanding of the universe.
Topics covered include, but are not limited to:
- Multi-ton noble liquid and cryogenic detector developments
- Background rejection and ultra-low-noise material strategies
- Superconducting, quantum, and optomechanical sensors for rare-event detection
- Innovative readout schemes linking condensed matter and astrophysics
Guest Editors
Kyle Leach, Colorado School of Mines
Gianpaolo Carosi, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory