What do we do?

MADMAX (Magnetized Disc and Mirror Axion Experiment) seeks axions as a component of dark matter. Like ALPS and IAXO, the experiment is based on the quantum mechanical mixture of particles: This means that particles can sometimes assume properties of other particles. This also applies to the axion: In a magnetic field, the axion behaves a little like a photon – therefore, it develops an electric field. The stronger the magnetic field, the more similar the axion becomes to a photon. If the axion-generated electric field can be detected, the existence of the axion can be confirmed. Therefore, a very important component of the MADMAX experiment is an extremely strong magnet that has yet to be developed.