Scientists identify three quantum materials for dark matter detection

An international team has identified titanium diselenide (TiSe₂), strontium ruthenate (Sr₂RuO₄) and hole-doped diamond as promising detector materials for light dark matter. Simulations predict TiSe₂ could boost sensitivity by two to three orders of magnitude, up to 1,000 times. The results, published in Physical Review Letters, remain theoretical and untested in working detectors.

• TiSe₂ could make detectors up to 1,000 times more sensitive
• Sr₂RuO₄ and hole-doped diamond were also evaluated
• Materials offer directional sensitivity to the dark matter flux
• All three use established synthesis methods; TiSe₂ scales best