New constraints on dark matter from superconducting nanowires

TL;DR

This study utilizes superconducting nanowires as sensitive detectors to set new limits on dark matter interactions with electrons, especially for sub-MeV dark matter, based on a 180-hour experimental measurement.

Contribution

It demonstrates the use of superconducting nanowires as a novel detection method for dark matter-electron interactions, providing the strongest terrestrial constraints for certain dark matter mass ranges.

Findings

Established new constraints on dark matter-electron scattering.

Provided the strongest terrestrial limits on sub-MeV dark matter interactions.

Showed superconducting nanowires are effective for dark matter detection.

Abstract

Superconducting nanowires, a mature technology originally developed for quantum sensing, can be used as a target and sensor with which to search for dark matter interactions with electrons. Here we report on a 180-hour measurement of a tungsten silicide superconducting nanowire device with a mass of 4.3 nanograms. We use this to place new constraints on dark matter--electron interactions, including the strongest terrestrial constraints to date on sub-MeV (sub-eV) dark matter that interacts with electrons via scattering (absorption) processes.