FNSPE · Czech Technical University in Prague

Dark Matter
Theory Group

We design quantum materials that turn dark-matter interactions into detectable electronic and phononic signals.

Quantum sensing · dark matter theory DRD5 · CERN 1 lead · 8 members

Active

Marek Matas

Group leader

Chiral phonon quantum sensors · ab initio detector response · CTU representative on the DRD5 board

UserMap Scholar

Barbora Růžičková

BSc student

Chiral phonon–dark matter interactions in PbTe · in progress

Shoushi Shadouyan

Student

Topic in preparation

Samuel Gogh

Student

Topic in preparation

Ondřej Číž

Student

Topic in preparation

Quantum sensing

We develop single-quantum sensing concepts based on chiral phonons—lattice vibrations carrying angular momentum and magnetic moments. By designing materials with low-energy, long-lived chiral modes, we aim to convert individual particle interactions into magnetic signals measurable with ultrasensitive magnetometers.

Dark-matter detection

We develop the theory of direct dark-matter detection in condensed matter. Combining effective field theory with first-principles material modelling, we translate dark-matter interactions into measurable electronic and phononic excitations and identify materials sensitive to unexplored particles and interactions.

Materials for high-energy physics

We apply first-principles materials modelling to detector challenges in high-energy physics. Our work includes quantum dots whose tunable electronic responses can enhance detection sensitivity and enable particle identification through chromatic calorimetry.

DRD5 · RDq
The group represents CTU on the board of DRD5, the CERN-based detector R&D collaboration on quantum sensing, uniting more than 120 institutes worldwide.

2026 Towards quantum-dot detectors as barcodes for dark matter interactions Matas, Gallo Rosso, Cammarata, Hoch, Blanco, Conrad, Essig, Linden, Winslow · arXiv 2608.18204 arXiv 2026 Dynamical multiferroicity in framework materials Matas, Romao · arXiv 2606.13874 arXiv 2026 Zero indirect band gap and flat bands in a niobium oxyiodide cluster material Beitlberger, Martin, Scheele, Matas, Romao, Ströbele, Meyer et al. · J. Am. Chem. Soc. 148, 30861 DOI 2025 Chiral phonons in metal–organic frameworks as quantum sensors for the direct detection of dark matter Matas, Křížek, Romao · arXiv 2511.20461 arXiv 2025 Electronic structure of liquid xenon in the context of light dark matter direct detection Catena, Marin, Matas, Spaldin, Urdshals · SciPost Phys. 19, 064 DOI 2023 Chiral phonons as dark matter detectors Romao, Catena, Spaldin, Matas · Phys. Rev. Research 5, 043262 DOI 2023 Direct searches for general dark matter–electron interactions with graphene detectors: I. Electronic structure calculations Catena, Emken, Matas, Spaldin, Urdshals · Phys. Rev. Research 5, 043257 DOI 2023 Direct searches for general dark matter–electron interactions with graphene detectors: II. Sensitivity studies Catena, Emken, Matas, Spaldin, Urdshals · Phys. Rev. Research 5, 043258 DOI 2023 Dark matter–electron interactions in materials beyond the dark photon model Catena, Cole, Emken, Matas, Spaldin, Tarantino, Urdshals · JCAP 03, 052 DOI 2021 Crystal responses to general dark matter–electron interactions Catena, Emken, Matas, Spaldin, Urdshals · Phys. Rev. Research 3, 033149 DOI

Full record · Google Scholar · InspireHEP · ORCID

BSc/MSc Chiral phonons in candidate detector materials Density functional perturbation theory screening of candidate materials for low-energy phonons with large magnetic moments.
BSc/MSc Quantum dots as barcodes for dark matter interactions Ab initio modelling of tunable semiconductor nanocrystals, and what a bank of differently sized dots reveals about the interaction that hit it.
BSc Quantum dots for high-energy physics First-principles modelling of tunable semiconductor nanocrystals as detector materials for high-energy physics, including their role in chromatic calorimetry.
PhD Dark matter interaction modelling Computing crystal response functions for a new target material and turning them into exclusion limits comparable with running experiments.

Topics are negotiable — write to us and we will reshape one around what you want to learn.

7th sem. Quantum Sensing An overview of quantum sensing and its applications in particle physics.
3rd sem. Introduction to the Physics of Elementary Particles Lectures, CTU in Prague.
5th sem. Subatomic Physics Exercise sessions for final-year bachelor students.
1st sem. Physics Seminar Contributing dark-matter-oriented student projects.
U3A Introduction to Particle Physics Lectures for the University of the Third Age, the CTU programme for senior learners.

Email
marek.matas@fjfi.cvut.cz
Address
Department of Physics
Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering
Czech Technical University in Prague
Břehová 7, 115 19 Prague 1 · Room B13b

Fig. 1 — framework lattice, single-phonon excitation FNSPE · CTU
Click the lattice
Phonon chirality L
−1 left-handed0 linear+1 right-handed
L = +1.00
μ ∝ +0.00

Each node traces an orbit as the wave passes. When the orbit is a circle, the atoms carry angular momentum and the lattice acquires a magnetic moment pointing out of the plane — that is a chiral phonon, and that moment is what a magnetometer can see. Slide L to zero and the orbits collapse into straight lines: an ordinary phonon, magnetically silent and invisible to this kind of detector.

Dark Matter Theory Group · FNSPE · CTU in Prague marek.matas@fjfi.cvut.cz