The publication, which interviewed Andrei Pankratov—a senior researcher at the Institute for Physics of Microstructures of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Nizhny Novgorod State Technical University—noted that the devices will enable the study of processes that occurred during the early stages of the Universe’s evolution.

Likewise, as Pankratov highlighted, they will make it possible to search for axions, theoretical particles considered a potential component of dark matter.

In the researcher’s view, the new sensors will allow for the study of cosmic microwave background radiation and, consequently, the acquisition of data on processes that took place in the Universe shortly after the Big Bang.

Furthermore, they could help verify the hypothesis regarding electromagnetic radiation energy that might be derived from dark matter. The researcher believes that, in the future, this energy could be utilized both on Earth and in spaceflight.

Essentially, these are electromagnetic radiation receivers. When radiation strikes the sensitive element, the electron temperature rises, causing a change in the recorded signal.

Pankratov noted that minimizing heat loss is also crucial, as the useful signal is lost along with the heat. According to him, this reduction in heat loss is achieved through the inclusion of a thin layer of hafnium in the design.

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