Description: The axion is a proposed particle whose existence might account for much of the dark matter of the universe. This same particle also arises as the solution to the strong-CP problem of particle physics. There have been several decades of experiments that have attempted to detect new particles with many of the properties of the axion - but without being sensitive to the preferred region of parameter space. I will report on the Axion Dark Matter Experiment, ADMX, which is currently running and is achieving the required sensitivity towards potential discovery. There are also new ideas in case nature has a related but different elusive solution to the dark matter problem - these will also be described with a focus on having discovery potential.

Host: Susan Gardner