![](http://quantum.fnal.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Magis-100-Image.jpg)
MAGIS-100 and dark matter
Scientists at the Fermilab-hosted 100-meter Matter-wave Atomic Gradiometer Interferometric Sensor are hunting for dark matter — the elusive stuff that makes up 85% of the matter of the universe. MAGIS-100 combines the unique physical features of the Fermilab site with the laboratory expertise in vacuum and magnetics fields. Employing quantum sensors and the world’s longest baseline atom interferometer — an instrument that measures differences in atomic wavelengths — researchers will search for ultralight particles of dark matter. Scientists will use these high-sensitivity devices to investigate the nature of dark matter.
![](http://quantum.fnal.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Axion-Dark-Matter-Expiriment-Image.jpg)
Axion dark matter detection
Researchers are looking far and wide for axions, theorized particles of dark matter, using qubits. They’re working to coax them out of hiding by using a strong superconducting magnet to convert them into particles of light inside a microwave quantum resonator. Equipped with ultrasensitive, low-noise quantum electronics, a detector can be tuned to different frequencies corresponding to signals of axions of different masses.
![](http://quantum.fnal.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Skipper-CCD.jpg)
Skipper CCDs for dark matter
One way to hunt for dark matter is to catch it in the act of bumping into a particle of matter, such as an electron. A sensitive enough detector could pick up on the transfer of energy between the two. Scientists at Fermilab have been using high-sensitivity devices called skipper CCDs to catch those energy-transfer signals, which manifest as single photons. The skipper charge-coupled device uses the quantum nature of light particles to capture images with extraordinary resolution. Skipper CCDs use highly sensitive quantum sensors to image objects one photon at a time — perhaps lighting the way to particles of dark matter.