LUX-ZEPLIN暗物质探测器在2023年3月至2024年4月期间检测到一起异常粒子事件，该事件难以用已知的背景噪声解释1。这一发现被认为是该实验迄今最有前景的暗物质信号候选，但统计显著性仅达2.6西格玛，距离物理学中确认发现所需的5西格玛标准还有差距1。根据数据分析，该事件由已知背景源产生的概率约为0.5%1。
该探测器位于美国南达科他州Sanford地下研究设施，距地表约1英里深处，核心部分采用10吨超纯液氙1。研究基于220个有效观测日的数据1。布朗大学教授、LZ项目发言人Rick Gaitskell表示："我们很感兴趣在数据中看到这个事件，它出现在我们预期暗物质出现的区域且竞争背景很低。"1伯克利实验室物理学家Aaron Manalaysay则评价道："这是我所从事的任何实验中第一个看起来在各个方面都有效的离群值。"1根据分析，该事件对应的潜在弱相互作用大质量粒子（WIMP）质量至少为200 GeV/c²1。这项研究汇集了来自39个机构的250名科学家和工程师的努力1。
The LUX-ZEPLIN dark matter detector has identified an unusual particle event that resists explanation using known background noise sources, potentially representing the first hint of the long-sought dark matter particle.1 The event achieved a statistical significance of 2.6 sigma, corresponding to approximately a 0.5% probability of originating from known background sources.1 While this falls short of the 5 sigma threshold required to claim a discovery, the collaboration regards it as the most promising dark matter signal candidate detected by LZ to date.1
The anomalous event emerged during analysis of data collected between March 2023 and April 2024, spanning 220 effective observation days.1 If confirmed as a dark matter signal, the associated particle would possess a mass of at least 200 GeV/c², exceeding the mass of a proton by more than 200 times.1 Rick Gaitskell, a physics professor at Brown University and LZ spokesperson, stated: "We are very interested in seeing this event in our data. It appears in the region where we expect dark matter to appear and has low competing background."1 Aaron Manalaysay, a physicist at Berkeley Lab, added: "This is the first outlier I have seen in any experiment I have worked on that looks valid in every aspect."1
The LUX-ZEPLIN experiment operates at the Sanford Underground Research Facility in South Dakota, approximately one mile beneath the surface.1 Its core detector comprises 10 tons of ultra-pure liquid xenon.1 The project involves 250 scientists and engineers from 39 institutions.1
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