Scientists are one step closer to uncovering the elusive nature of dark matter with a breakthrough detector that could identify axions, one of the most promising candidates for this mysterious form of matter. If they exist, axions could resolve key questions in quantum chromodynamics and the Nature of dark matter, yet they remain undetected.
In a study published today in Nature, researchers from King’s College London, Harvard University, UC Berkeley, and other institutions have introduced a novel detection concept they liken to a cosmic car radio. This device, designed to tune into the frequency of the axion, could provide a revolutionary method for identifying dark matter within fifteen years.
The heart of this detector lies in creating an axion quasiparticle, or AQ, which is engineered to emit faint signals when it aligns with the frequency of an axion. Operating at extremely high terahertz frequencies, the AQ represents a promising new approach for exploring the spectral domain where dark matter could reside.
The research team believes that scaling up this AQ material will enable them to construct a fully operational detector within five years. From there, a decade-long search would focus on scanning the high-frequency spectrum suspected to harbor dark matter.
Shedding light on axion dark matter
A crucial element of this breakthrough is the material manganese bismuth telluride (MnBiâ‚‚Teâ‚„), known for its remarkable electronic and magnetic properties. Scientists meticulously reduced this material to just a few atomic layers to fine-tune its characteristics, ensuring it could interact effectively with the axion’s expected frequency.
Jian-Xiang Qiu, lead author from Harvard University, highlighted the delicate process of working with MnBiâ‚‚Teâ‚„, noting its sensitivity to air required extreme precision in handling. This careful refinement allowed researchers to explore previously inaccessible physics and investigate how the material interacts with quantum entities like axions.
Journal Reference:
- Qiu, JX., Ghosh, B., Schütte-Engel, J. et al. Observation of the axion quasiparticle in 2D MnBi2Te4. Nature 641, 62–69 (2025). DOI 10.1038/s41586-025-08862-x
