Speaker: Michael Williams (LBNL) – Title: First Above-Ground Dark Matter Search Results from the TESSERACT Collaboration
April 24 @ 4:00 pm
Research Progress Meeting
Date: April 24, 2025
Time: 4:00- 5:00 pm
Location: Sessler Conference Room- 50A-5132 [In-Person and HYBRID]
Speaker: Michael Williams (LBNL)
Title: First Above-Ground Dark Matter Search Results from the TESSERACT Collaboration
Abstract: The TESSERACT collaboration will search for dark matter particles with masses below that of the proton using two novel, ultra-sensitive detector technologies: SPICE and HeRALD. These detectors are designed to deliver world-leading sensitivity to a broad range of low-mass dark matter candidates. In this talk, I will share recent progress in the development of Transition Edge Sensors (TESs) with sub-eV energy resolution, a critical advancement enabling the next generation of low-mass dark matter searches. I will focus on our improved understanding of the “low energy excess” background commonly observed in cryogenic detectors, along with new techniques developed to discriminate this background from potential signals. This will culminate in discussion of TESSERACT’s first above-ground dark matter search, which achieved world-leading sensitivity to dark matter masses below 87 MeV/c², powered by the most sensitive athermal phonon sensors ever deployed.
https://lbnl.zoom.us/j/98854322464?pwd=K2tKUm1VZjRlV1J5RHE3cXdHQzRxdz09
Meeting ID: 988 5432 2464
Passcode: 142239