New nuclear reactor tests zero in on ghost-like particles tied to dark matter puzzles

Nuclear scientists have narrowed the search for sterile neutrinos, elusive particles potentially linked to dark matter. Using the PROSPECT-I detector at Oak Ridge National Laboratory's nuclear reactor, researchers looked for sterile neutrinos with high mass values. Though not yet detected, sterile neutrinos could help explain dark matter and improve understanding of nuclear reactions. The team plans to expand their search to other mass ranges, which may provide insights into fundamental physics and the universe's composition.