Academia Sinica Logo

【Abstract】

Photon detection across distinct energy scales is driving new discoveries in both particle and astrophysical research. The first part covers a CMS analysis of high-mass diphoton events from 13 TeV proton-proton collisions, leveraging two background prediction methods—one targeting resonant excesses and the other broader mass-shape differences. This analysis establishes the strongest limits yet on ADD extra dimensions and Randall–Sundrum gravitons. The second part highlights recent advancements in cryogenic detectors, focusing on mid-infrared superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs). These detectors achieve exceptionally low energy thresholds, near-perfect detection efficiency, and outstanding timing precision. Our recent exploration of their microcalorimetric capabilities further expands their potential for high-sensitivity applications, such as dark matter searches and detecting Hawking photons in analog black hole experiments. These developments open new windows in cosmology and astroparticle physics, underscoring photon detection’s pivotal role across scientific domains.