Ultralight dark matter detection with mechanical quantum sensors
Daniel Carney, Anson Hook, Zhen Liu, Jacob M Taylor, Yue Zhao
Abstract
Abstract We consider the use of quantum-limited mechanical force sensors to detect ultralight (sub-meV) dark matter (DM) candidates which are weakly coupled to the standard model. We show that mechanical sensors with masses around or below the milligram scale, operating around the standard quantum limit, would enable novel searches for DM with natural frequencies around the kHz scale. This would complement existing strategies based on torsion balances, atom interferometers, and atomic clock systems.
Topics & Concepts
PhysicsDark matterQuantum sensorQuantumTorsion (gastropod)Complement (music)Atomic clockMechanical systemQuantum measurementQuantum opticsOptoelectronicsAtom (system on chip)Ultracold atomMatter waveDark Matter and Cosmic PhenomenaAtomic and Subatomic Physics ResearchChemical and Physical Properties of Materials