CERN Utilises Helium to Better Understand Dark Matter
- Aug 5, 2024
- 3 min read
The AMBER experiment at CERN provided new insights into how antiprotons, particles that could offer clues about dark matter, are produced when protons collide with helium. This research is crucial because understanding the standard way antiprotons are formed helps scientists detect unusual signals that might come from dark matter, a substance making up a significant part of the universe. AMBER's recent findings, using data from experiments where protons were fired at a helium target, are expected to improve the accuracy of dark matter searches by reducing uncertainties in current models. We believe that scientific research will be a major demand driver for helium over the coming decade. CERN's helium consumption is substantial due to the cryogenic needs of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and its associated experiments. The LHC is the largest cryogenic system in the world and one of the coldest places on Earth, with its magnets cooled to 1.9 Kelvin (-271.3°C) using liquid helium. To maintain these extremely low temperatures, CERN uses around 15mmcf/y of helium.