Chinese scientists make breakthrough in dark matter detection

A team of Chinese scientists working deep underground have detected dark matter using a new kind of detection system, reports stdaily.com.

The Jinping Underground Laboratory, which is used to study dark matter. [Photo: Xinhua]

The experiment marks the first time that researchers have used a high-purity germanium detector. The new device has a greatly improved detection sensitivity over what has been used in the past, according to Yue Qian, the head of the China Dark Matter Experiment.

The research was conducted at the Jinping Underground Laboratory, which is located about 2,400 meters under a mountain in Sichuan Province. Opened in 2010, it is one of the world's deepest underground laboratories.

"Research on dark matter at the Jinping Underground Laboratory is underground research. The extreme depth helps block most of the cosmic rays that interfere with the [dark matter] observation," Yue said.

The results of the current research program are expected to provide a solid foundation for more large-scale experiments in the future.