Tags - (6) Enrico Fermi Institute

Aaron S. Chou 🔗
Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory 🔗 University of Chicago 🔗
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Department(s)/lab(s): Physics | Chou Group @ UChicago
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Develops quantum metrology for ultra-weakly-coupled dark sectors and fundamental physics. Directions: (1) axion dark matter detection using entangled probe state preparation and superconducting qubit QND readout (HAYSTAC, ADMX); (2) dark radiation/energy detection with Cooper-pair box quasiparticle sensors; (3) GW detectors based on high-B-field microwave cavities probing early-universe phase transitions; (4) emergent gauge symmetries in quantum spin liquids. Co-PI DARPA QuSeN (quantum sensing of neutrinos, 2025). Devices/Sensors lead, DOE Quantum Science Center.

Juan Collar 🔗
University of Chicago 🔗
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Department(s)/lab(s): Physics | Collar Lab @ UChicago
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Experimental astroparticle physicist developing novel quantum-limited detectors for dark matter and neutrino sensing. Directions: (1) COHERENT experiment — first measurement of coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CEvNS) and ongoing precision measurements; (2) bubble chamber and scintillating bolometer detectors for WIMP dark matter; (3) development of low-threshold detectors sensitive to sub-GeV dark matter; (4) nuclear recoil sensing at the few-eV threshold. Enrico Fermi Institute member.

Luca Grandi 🔗
Argonne National Laboratory 🔗 University of Chicago 🔗
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Department(s)/lab(s): Physics | Grandi Lab @ UChicago
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Experimental astroparticle physicist searching for dark matter with noble liquid detectors. Directions: (1) DarkSide-20k — liquid argon TPC at INFN Gran Sasso targeting WIMP dark matter with 20-tonne active volume; (2) development of cryogenic SiPM photon detection for LAr detectors; (3) low-background detector techniques and radon mitigation; (4) argon purification and light yield optimization. Argonne joint appointment.

Paolo Privitera 🔗
University of Chicago 🔗
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Department(s)/lab(s): Physics / A&A | Privitera Group @ UChicago
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Works on quantum-limited sensing for astroparticle physics. Directions: (1) Pierre Auger Observatory — UHE cosmic ray composition and spectrum via radio and fluorescence detection; (2) liquid argon dark matter detectors; (3) co-PI DARPA QuSeN (2025) — quantum sensing of neutrinos using phonon-coupled SC qubit sensors with Cleland and Chou. KICP member.

Abigail Vieregg 🔗
University of Chicago 🔗
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Department(s)/lab(s): Physics / A&A | Vieregg Group @ UChicago
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Builds radio and mm-wave quantum-limited sensing instruments for high-energy astrophysics and cosmology. Directions: (1) PUEO — balloon-borne radio Cherenkov (Askaryan) detector for ultra-high-energy cosmogenic neutrinos; (2) RNO-G — ground-based radio neutrino array at Summit Station, Greenland; (3) UHE cosmic ray radio detection methodology; (4) CMB instrumentation (BICEP/Keck, SPT, CMB-S4). 2025 APS Fellow; 2022 Moore EPII award. Director KICP.

Scott Wakely 🔗
University of Chicago 🔗
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Department(s)/lab(s): Physics | Wakely Group @ UChicago
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Experimental astroparticle physicist developing radio-based detection of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays. Directions: (1) HAWC — high-altitude water Cherenkov detector for gamma-ray and cosmic ray sensing; (2) IceTop surface array at IceCube for cosmic ray composition at the knee; (3) radio detection of cosmic-ray-induced air showers (Askaryan emission) as a technique for large-scale UHE cosmic ray sensing. Enrico Fermi Institute member.