The goal of the experimental work at this Laboratory is the development of methods for direct detection of dark matter. This involves the development of a new type of extremely sensitive dark matter detector. More specifically, two-phase cryogenic avalanche detectors based on gas electronic multipliers operating in liquid argon and xenon. Developed methods of registration using ultrasensitive cryogenic avalanche detectors will have applications in other spheres: in the field of neutrino detection for remote monitoring of nuclear reactors and in the field of medical imaging, in particular for positron emission tomography.
The Laboratory conducts experimental and theoretical work on the search for dark matter, dark energy and antimatter. Today it is assumed that only 5% of the universe is comprised of this substance, that consists of people and surrounding objects. Approximately 25% is poorly understood dark matter, which, apparently, is an elementary particle or black hole - something that fits within the boundaries of understanding modern physics. But the remaining 70% is dark energy, about which almost nothing is known.
The Head of the Laboratory is Alexander Dolgov, Professor at the University of Ferrara (Italy), leading researcher at the Italian Institute of Nuclear Physics, Laureate of the Pontecorvo Prize for researching the role of neutrinos in cosmology and Friedman's award for applying the methods of quantum theory in cosmology, dolgov@itep.ru
The Laboratory is a part of the Interdisciplinary NSU Center for Elementary Particle Physics and Astrophysics.
Department Elementary Particle Physics
