Scientists developed a particle detector for the search for dark matter, which will help in better understanding the processes of galaxy formation. The detector was developed by specialists from the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory under the US Department of Energy.
The new sensor will be launched into space as part of the Line Emission Mapper (LEM) space mission scheduled for the 2030s. The objective of the LEM mission is to map X-ray radiation from galaxies with unprecedented accuracy, providing deeper insights into galaxy formation processes and the history of the universe.
Researchers behind the inventions believe that this system will be one of the few high-resolution spectroscopy systems in space. By studying the evolution of galaxies and clusters, researchers hope to gain a clearer understanding of the universe’s development. Analyzing X-ray radiation from stars, supernovae, and black holes within galaxies, scientists aim to gather information about these objects’ composition and history spanning tens of billions of years.
The SLAC detector has been installed in the LEM test module. Sensors based on Transition Edge Sensors (TES) have been repurposed from the Cryogenic Dark Matter Search (CDMS) project to meet the requirements of the LEM mission. These superconducting sensors, operating at ultra-low temperatures, can detect even the smallest X-ray radiations accurately.
SLAC engineer Matt Cherry, with over a decade of experience in sensor manufacturing, is excited about the prospect of reusing these sensors. Cherry points out that the technology for creating these sensors is already well-established thanks to the CDMS project.
The sensors, located behind the X-ray detector, will filter out background noise to ensure the recording and processing of all useful X-ray radiation data. This advancement eliminates the need to discard any data, thereby enhancing measurement accuracy.
Prior to this development, scientists would lose 15-20% of collected data due to illegible signals from poorly mapped space rays. This innovation enables