Institute for Nuclear and Particle Astrophysics (INPA) at LBNL
The INPA Seminar weekly talks are on Fridays, starting at 12:00 pm, unless informed otherwise. The seminar talk starts with a brief presentation of the weekly scientific news. Typically, the talks conclude by 1:00 pm. The seminars are held in the Sessler Conference Room, located in Bldg. 50A- 5132.
Please send all suggestions for future INPA talks and speakers to the INPA Committee.
To be added to the INPA News Mailing List, please contact Erica Hall.
INPA Talks are archived here.
The INPA Committee currently consists of:
2025-26
Daniel Kodroff
Krystal Alfonso
Edmond Chaussidon
- This event has passed.
INPA Seminar Speaker: Yu-Han Tseng(Yale University) -Title: Search for dark matter scattering from optically levitated nanoparticles
September 19 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Date: September 19, 2025
Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Location: Sessler Conference Room – 50A-5132 [Hybrid and In-Person]
Speaker: Yu-Han Tseng (Yale University)
Title: Search for dark matter scattering from optically levitated nanoparticles
Abstract: The development of levitated optomechanics has opened up unique opportunities to search for new physics whose weak interactions may have evaded existing sensors. I will describe an initial search for dark matter scattering based on optically levitated, femtogram-scale nanoparticles. In ultra-high vacuum, the force sensitivity of these levitated sensors is primarily limited by quantum measurement noise. For dark matter models that would primarily scatter from an entire nanoparticle (rather than a single nucleus or electron), this initial search can exceed the sensitivity of even large underground detectors. I will also describe how the inherent directional sensitivity of these sensors can be used to separate possible dark matter signals from backgrounds. Finally, I will discuss how the techniques developed here can be extended to light dark matter searches and precision measurements of neutrinos.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://lbnl.zoom.us/j/95016696011?pwd=Tk1XOW1Xd3RYRnlsc2tEYmRWZlVVZz09
Meeting ID: 950 1669 6011
Passcode: 247722
INPA guests from campus can now come to the lab early on Fridays. The INPA Common Room (50-5026) is reserved for our guests from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Note that the seminars are now held in 50A-5132 to accommodate a more significant number of attendees.
CPTea Series (also known as INPA Tea Series)
The Physics Division CPTea Series invites you to an In-Person Tea Series 1st Friday of every month at 3:30 pm INPA Conference Room 50-5026.
Everyone is welcome to attend the open forum. Tea and light refreshments will be served.
INPA Common Room (50-5026)
Fridays
3:30 pm
Access to the Lab
For a shuttle pass, please email Erica Hall. The pass is only valid for the day of the seminar.