Search for axion-like dark matter with spin-based amplifiers--Institute of Theoretical Physics，Chinese Academy of Sciences

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Search for axion-like dark matter with spin-based amplifiers

06/09 2021 Seminar

Title Search for axion-like dark matter with spin-based amplifiers
Speaker 江敏 Jiang Min（USTC）
Date 2021年6月9日 (周三) 15:00
Venue 南楼6620

Abstract

Ultralight axion-like particles (ALPs) are well-motivated dark matter candidates introduced by theories beyond the standard model. However, the constraints on the existence of ALPs through existing laboratory experiments are hindered by their current sensitivities, which are usually weaker than astrophysical limits. In this talk, I will introduce our recently developed quantum sensor (“spin-based amplifier”) to search for ALPs in the mass range that spans about two decades from 8.3 feV to 744 feV. Our sensor makes use of hyperpolarized long-lived nuclear spins as a pre-amplifier that effectively enhances coherently oscillating axion-like dark-matter field by a factor of >100. Using spin-based amplifiers, we achieve an ultrahigh magnetic sensitivity of 18 fT/Hz^1/2, which is significantly better than state-of-the-art nuclear-spin magnetometers. Our experiment constrains the parameter space describing the coupling of ALPs to nucleons over our mass range, improving over previous laboratory limits by at least five orders of magnitude. Our measurements also constrain the ALP-nucleon quadratic interaction and dark photon-nucleon interaction with new limits beyond the astrophysical ones.