We present frequency-tuning mechanisms for dielectric resonators, which undergo “supermode” interactions as they tune. The tunable schemes are based on dielectric materials strategically placed inside traditional cylindrical resonant cavities, necessarily operating in transverse-magnetic modes for use in axion haloscopes. The first technique is based on multiple dielectric disks with radii smaller than that of the cavity. The second scheme relies on hollow dielectric cylinders similar to a Bragg resonator, but with a different location and dimension. Specifically, we engineer a significant increase in form factor for the ${\mathrm{TM}}_{030}$ mode utilizing a variation of a distributed Bragg reflector resonator. Additionally, we demonstrate an application of traditional distributed Bragg reflectors in TM modes which may be applied to a haloscope. Theoretical and experimental results are presented showing an increase in $Q$ factor and tunability due to the supermode effect. The ${\mathrm{TM}}_{030}$ ring-resonator mode offers a between 1 and 2-order-of-magnitude improvement in axion sensitivity over current conventional cavity systems and will be employed in the forthcoming ORGAN experiment.

Primary tumours, particularly from major solid organs, are able to disseminate into the blood and lymphatic system and spread to distant sites. These secondary metastases to other major organs are the most lethal aspect of cancer, accounting for the majority of cancer deaths. The brain is a frequent site of metastasis, and brain metastases are often fatal due to the critical role of the nervous system and the limited options for treatment, including surgery. This creates a need to further understand the complex cell and molecular biology associated with the establishment of brain metastasis, including the changes to the environment of the brain to enable the arrival and growth of tumour cells. Local changes in the vascular network, immune system and stromal components all have the potential to recruit and foster metastatic tumour cells. This review summarises our current understanding of brain vascular microenvironments, fluid circulation and drainage in the context of brain metastases, as well as commenting on current cutting-edge experimental approaches used to investigate changes in vascular environments and alterations in specialised subsets of blood and lymphatic vessel cells during cancer spread to the brain.