ERC Grant Fuels Hunt for Dark Matter in the Heart of Vienna

Gerard and his team will hunt for these traces in a new laboratory at the Institute of High Energy Physics of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, located in the heart of Vienna. The project focuses on developing cutting-edge quantum sensors with unprecedented sensitivities. These sensors will consist of millimetre-scale superconducting objects levitated by electromagnets. By precisely measuring the motion of the levitated superconductors, and isolating them from background noise, the team aims to detect any tiny disturbances or jolts caused by dark matter particles passing through the laboratory.

The ERC grant is part of a nearly €780 million funding package under the EU Horizon Europe programme, which exemplifies Europe's commitment to fostering innovative research and empowering young scientists. Dr Higgins stated, “I am truly honoured to receive this support from the ERC. This project has the potential to deepen our understanding of the Cosmos and significantly contribute to Europe's leadership in fundamental physics research.”