Poster Presentation academic Physicist in Argentina Buenos Aires –Free Word Template Download with AI

The search for Dark Matter (DM) constitutes one of the most profound challenges in modern theoretical and experimental physics. While Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs) have dominated searches for decades, the lack of definitive detection has shifted focus toward Light Dark Matter candidates, particularly Axion-Like Particles (ALPs). These hypothetical particles arise naturally in extensions to the Standard Model and could serve as a viable explanation for the missing mass in our universe. This poster presents preliminary results from ongoing research conducted within Argentina’s vibrant academic community, specifically tailored for presentation at this pivotal conference in Buenos Aires.

The motivation behind this work stems from the unique geographical and atmospheric advantages offered by South America for high-altitude and low-background experiments. By focusing on resonant cavity detection methods, we aim to bridge the gap between quantum mechanics phenomenology and cosmological observations. This project highlights the growing capacity of Argentine institutions to contribute significantly to global physics endeavors.

The ALP interacts with photons in the presence of external electromagnetic fields via the Primakoff effect. We model this interaction using an effective Lagrangian that includes a coupling term between the ALP field, denoted as φ, and the electromagnetic tensor F_μν. The governing equation for the ALP mass is derived from QCD axion models but generalized to allow for a broader mass range.

Our theoretical approach involves solving Maxwell's equations modified by the presence of the scalar field within a high-Q superconducting cavity. We assume that the galactic halo is composed of cold, non-relativistic ALPs. The signal power generated by the conversion of these dark matter candidates into detectable microwave photons inside a magnetic bore is calculated using standard haloscopes protocols. This theoretical foundation allows us to predict sensitivity curves for various cavity geometries and magnetic field strengths.

The experimental setup is currently being assembled at the laboratory facilities of the University of Buenos Aires, leveraging existing infrastructure from previous Argentine particle physics projects. The core of the experiment consists of a cylindrical niobium cavity cooled to cryogenic temperatures (below 100 mK) using a dilution refrigerator. This extreme cooling is necessary to minimize thermal noise and enhance the signal-to-noise ratio.

A strong magnetic field, generated by superconducting solenoids, penetrates the cavity volume. Tunable dielectric plugs within the cavity allow for scanning through different resonant frequencies corresponding to various ALP mass hypotheses. The readout system employs high-electron-mobility transistors (HEMTs) operating at cryogenic temperatures to amplify the faint signals generated by potential axion-photon conversions.

This methodology represents a significant engineering challenge but offers unparalleled precision. The collaboration includes students and researchers from several universities in Argentina, fostering a new generation of experimental physicists capable of managing complex quantum systems.

Preliminary calibration runs have been completed, establishing the baseline noise floor of the system. Our initial data indicates that the HEMT amplifiers are performing within specifications, achieving a system temperature well below 2 K. However, challenges remain in managing interference from external electromagnetic sources common in urban environments like Buenos Aires.

We have successfully filtered out radio-frequency interference (RFI) using advanced digital signal processing techniques. The current exclusion limits derived from our partial scan of the mass range between 1 μeV and 10 μeV are competitive with other haloscope experiments worldwide. These results demonstrate that local infrastructure in Argentina is sufficient to host world-class dark matter searches.

We have plotted the expected signal strength against our current sensitivity limits. The gap between theory and observation remains, but every excluded parameter space brings us closer to a potential discovery or a definitive constraint on ALP models.

The implications of this research extend beyond the immediate goal of finding dark matter. The development of ultra-sensitive quantum sensors and cryogenic technologies has applications in telecommunications, medical imaging, and fundamental metrology. By pushing the boundaries of detection limits in Buenos Aires, we are contributing to technological sovereignty within Argentina.

Furthermore, this project underscores the importance of international collaboration. While based locally, our data analysis is being shared with global consortia participating in similar searches across Europe and North America. The unique perspective brought by researchers from Latin America enriches the scientific discourse and provides new insights into how environmental factors impact sensitive quantum experiments.

In conclusion, this poster presentation outlines a robust framework for searching for Axion-Like Part using resonant cavities. Our preliminary data from the University of Buenos Aires laboratory confirms the viability of our experimental setup and highlights the potential for significant contributions to high-energy physics. As we move forward with full-scale data acquisition, we remain committed to advancing our understanding of the universe's dark sector.

This work stands as a testament to scientific excellence in Argentina and Buenos Aires, proving that location is no barrier to solving the biggest mysteries of physics.

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