Quantized vortex rings in superfluid He4 and Light Dark Matter

TL;DR

This paper explores the potential of detecting Light Dark Matter via vortex rings in superfluid helium-4, proposing a novel telescope concept and a demonstrator using thermal neutrons for detection.

Contribution

It introduces a new detection method for Light Dark Matter based on vortex ring creation in superfluid helium-4, combining superfluid physics with dark matter detection.

Findings

Conceptual detection scheme for LDM using vortex rings

Proposal of a neutron-based demonstrator for the detection method

Potential sensitivity to LDM Galactic wind

Abstract

The possibility is considered that, after nuclear recoil caused by elastic scattering with Light Dark Matter, atoms in superfluid He4 may create quantized vortex rings, which can thereafter be detected. The concept for sort of telescope for LDM is presented, which would be sensitive to its motion through the Galactic LDM wind. A demonstrator is proposed, which makes use of thermal neutrons.