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Hunting for Dark Matter with XENONnT and DarkSide-20k

The Aprile group at Columbia University is at the forefront of the global hunt for Dark Matter. While we know dark matter makes up about 85% of the matter in the universe, it remains one of the greatest mysteries in modern physics because it does not emit light and rarely interacts with normal matter. To find it, we build some of the most sensitive detectors on Earth.

Our Experiments

XENONnT: The Search is Live

The XENONnT experiment, located deep underground at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory (LNGS) in Italy, is operational. This massive detector uses close to 10 tonnes of liquid xenon to listen for the tiny "pings" of dark matter particles.

By Summer 2026, we will have fresh, unexamined data from the detector. REU students will have the unique chance to work with real dark matter data, helping us analyze signals and distinguish potential discoveries from background noise.

Scientists assemble the XENONnT Time Projection Chamber within a high-grade cleanroom. Every precaution is taken to prevent even the smallest dust particles from contaminating the ultra-pure detector materials.

DarkSide-20k: The Next Frontier

We are also a leading member of the DarkSide-20k collaboration. Currently under construction at LNGS, this experiment is a massive leap in scale, featuring a detector that will eventually hold nearly 100 tonnes of liquid argon. To achieve world-leading sensitivity, we use a very special type of argon. Unlike regular atmospheric argon, which contains radioactive isotopes from cosmic ray exposure, our argon is extracted from a deep underground mine in Colorado. This "ancient" argon has been shielded for millions of years, making it incredibly radio-pure and ideal for spotting the rarest signals in the universe.

The DarkSide-20k cryostat (red) sits nearly a mile underground at LNGS. This massive outer vessel will hold 600 tonnes of 'normal' liquid argon to act as a shield against radiation. Nestled at its core is the dark matter detector itself, a Time Projection Chamber filled with ultra-pure, low-radioactivity argon from deep underground.

Hands-on Lab R&D at Columbia

You don't have to go underground to do high-impact science. At our Morningside campus and NEVIS labs, we conduct local Research & Development to improve how these detectors work. Students can get involved in testing new sensor technologies and electronics, improving purification systems for liquid noble gases, and in conducting small-scale experiments to understand the fundamental properties of xenon and argon.

We are looking for two motivated REU students to join the Columbia group. Students will gain experience in data analysis, hardware prototyping, and high-tech instrumentation. For more information, visit our homepage.