A Search for Sterile Neutrino Dark Matter

Stephan Friedrich | 20-LW-006

Executive Summary

We propose to conduct the world's most sensitive search for kiloelectron volt sterile neutrino dark matter by implanting radioactive beryllium-7 nuclei into superconducting radiation detectors and measuring the recoil energy of the lithium-7 daughter nucleus with high accuracy. If successful, this innovative method could increase detection sensitivity three to four times more than competing approaches, significantly impacting the fields of particle physics and cosmology, as well as national missions in nuclear security.

Publications, Presentations, and Patents

Friedrich, S. 2020. "Direct Measurement of the Be-7 L/K Capture Ratio in Ta-Based Superconducting Tunnel Junctions." Physical Review Letters 125 (032701). doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.125.03270. LLNL-JRNL-807087