The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) potentially could have detected signs of dark matter due to minor malfunctions in its operation. Research conducted by physicists Xunyu Liang and Ariel Zhitnitsky from the University of British Columbia in Canada suggests that these unusual events might point to the existence of this invisible substance. The article was accepted for publication in the scientific journal Physical Review D.
Ground Vibration and Accelerator Sensors
Scientists refer to these disturbances as 'UFOs' (Unidentified Flying Objects). In the context of the accelerator, this term refers to sudden proton beam losses caused by microscopic dust particles. The physicists were interested in what exactly causes this dust to detach within such a high-precision structure.
A possible answer lies in a hypothetical form of dark matter known as Axion Quark Nuggets (AQNs). Unlike traditionally sought subatomic particles, AQNs are hypothesized to be macroscopic and dense objects with a mass ranging from five grams to one kilogram.
As an AQN passes through the ground up to 100 kilometers from the laboratory, it could create a small acoustic shockwave capable of causing vibrations in the LHC. Researchers compare this device to a high-precision clock subjected to external vibrations. Liang and Zhitnitsky told ScienceAlert that 'a dark matter particle passing through the Earth over tens of kilometers can create a small vibration, similar to a light tapping on a table under a clock.'
This vibration, in turn, could lead to the shedding of dust, which then crosses the particle beam. The hypothesis arose from the coincidence of the sizes of the dust particles and AQNs, leading to the development of a new search model. The authors noted: 'Initially, we expected to find a direct link between the mysterious LHC 'UFOs' and dark matter. Later, we realized that we presented the first suggestion for using the LHC in the search for macroscopic dark matter.'
To identify the trace of an AQN, the data must show a very specific pattern along the machine's 27-kilometer tunnel. Calculations indicate that the passage of an object must provoke at least three 'UFO' events at different points on the ring within a total of two seconds.
This search does not require equipment upgrades or additional costs for the European laboratory. The analysis can be performed by reviewing the beam loss monitor data already installed on site. The physicists explained that 'our case is particularly attractive because the LHC already has excellent integrated monitoring systems installed to protect the machine from damage,' emphasizing that these devices may be sensitive to signals for which they were not originally designed.
The authors did not analyze the accelerator files directly, but the study serves as an invitation for the scientific community to re-examine old LHC records. If the pattern is confirmed, this discovery will expand the boundaries of physics by proving that dark matter can manifest on a macroscopic scale.
