Abstract:

The axion is a hypothetical elementary particle whose existence would

explain the baffling absence of CP violation in the strong interactions.

It's properties in addition make it a good dark-matter candidate.

Even though dark-matter axions would make up the overwhelming

majority of mass in the universe, they are extraordinarily difficult

to detect. We have developed a detector of dark-matter axions

that is at heart an exquisitely sensitive detector of electromagnetic

radiation. This seminar will briefly review the role of axions in

particle and astrophysics, and will describe the progress we have

made in the experimental search.