Detection of Dark Matter – the LZ Experiment

The LZ Dark Matter Experiment – Mining for Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs)

Henrique Araújo, Professor of Experimental Astroparticle Physics, Imperial College London

We have known for decades that most of the mass of the universe comes in the form of an elusive substance we call Dark Matter. Professor Araújo will describe what is known about this mysterious substance, and how physicists are searching for its composition using a variety of experimental techniques.

He will focus on the flagship LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) experiment, which is switched on deep underground. LZ is searching for rare interactions between these dark particles and ordinary matter.

Dark Matter appears to make up more than four-fifths of the universe’s mass, but scientists have not yet observed this elusive substance which neither emits nor absorbs light at any wavelength. Weakly Interacting Massive Particles, or WIMPs, are the leading candidates for dark matter. They are thought to be extremely numerous – with up to a billion crossing our own bodies every second – but their interactions with ordinary matter are at best very rare.

This lecture is currently scheduled as an in-person event at Imperial. However government guidelines will be followed at the time which may include the necessity to change this to a live streamed event.  The supper may also need to be cancelled. We will update Friends on a regular basis.

FREE School group and student lecture places

As part of our mission to share a passion for knowledge, we have an allocation of tickets for school groups, school students and A level students to attend this public lecture FREE.

If you are a school teacher, you can book a FREE ‘School group’ ticket to bring your students to this event.

You’ll be asked to provide your school details and the total number in your group so that we can allocate these tickets.

School and A level students are also very welcome to attend, to book you just have to follow the same instructions as ‘School group’ tickets.

Please email our Administrator here if you need any help with this offer.

Post event supper

After the talk, you are welcome to join other Friends and their guests at a local restaurant to continue the discussion. You can book supper places below.