In search of dark matter

The LUX (Large Underground Xenon) dark matter experiment is seeking the first ever direct detection of dark matter.

LUX uses a 370kg liquid xenon time-projection chamber that aims to directly detect galactic dark matter in an underground laboratory 1 mile under the earth, in the Black Hills of South Dakota, USA.

The University of Edinburgh is a key member of this international project, and its effort is led by Dr Alex Murphy of the School's Nuclear Physics group. Dr James Dobson, a postdoctoral researcher in the Edinburgh team, is presently in charge of on-site operations of the project.

LUX has featured prominently in a series of recent BBC news features. Learn more about the project by following the links below.