Illuminating the Dark Sector: DAMSA's Pioneering Approach to ALP Detection

Comprising approximately 27% of the universe, dark matter is a mysterious entity only perceived through its gravitational effects on visible matter. Exploring this enigmatic component not only holds the key to understanding the large scale structure of the cosmos but also unravels the intricacies of fundamental physics, paving the way for groundbreaking discoveries. The proposed DAMSA (Dump-produced Aboriginal Matter Searches at an Accelerator) experiment will leverage high-flux proton beams at Fermilab to probe axion-like particles (ALPs). This presentation, centred on the DAMSA initiative, explores the pivotal role of a background mitigation study in enhancing ALP signal detection. By this study, we aim to fine-tune the balance between ALP production and detection, opening avenues to explore uncharted territories of ALP parameter space.