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arXiv:2211.12331 · The European Physical Journal C

Axion-like dark matter detection using Stern–Gerlach interferometer

Milad Hajebrahimi, Hassan Manshouri, Mohammad Sharifian, Moslem Zarei

Published Jan 10, 2023• 11 citations

Abstract

Abstract Quantum sensors based on the superposition of neutral atoms are promising for sensing the nature of dark matter (DM). In this study, we utilize the Stern–Gerlach (SG) interferometer configuration to seek a novel method for the detection of axion-like particles (ALPs). Using an SG interferometer, we create a spatial quantum superposition of neutral atoms such as $$^{3}$$ 3 He and $$^{87}$$ 87 Rb. It is shown that the interaction of ALPs with this superposition induces a relative phase between superposed quantum components. We use the quantum Boltzmann equation (QBE) to introduce a first-principles analysis that describes the temporal evolution of the sensing system. The QBE approach employs quantum field theory (QFT) to highlight the role of the quantum nature of the interactions with the quantum systems. The resulting exclusion area demonstrates that our scheme allows for the exclusion of a range of ALP mass in the range $$10^{-10}\le m_{a}\le 10^{2}\,\textrm{eV}$$ 10 - 10 ≤ m a ≤ 10 2 eV and ALP-atom coupling constant in the range $$10^{-13}\le g_{ae}\le 10^{0}$$ 10 - 13 ≤ g ae ≤ 10 0 .

DOI: 10.1140/epjc/s10052-022-11152-9

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•Mar 31, 2021•2 citations

Abstract Quantum sensors based on the superposition of neutral atoms are promising for sensing the nature of dark matter (DM). In this study, we utilize the Stern–Gerlach (SG) interferometer configuration to seek a novel method for the detection of axion-like particles (ALPs). Using an SG interferometer, we create a spatial quantum superposition of neutral atoms such as

^{3}

3 He and

^{87}

87 Rb. It is shown that the interaction of ALPs with this superposition induces a relative phase between superposed quantum components. We use the quantum Boltzmann equation (QBE) to introduce a first-principles analysis that describes the temporal evolution of the sensing system. The QBE approach employs quantum field theory (QFT) to highlight the role of the quantum nature of the interactions with the quantum systems. The resulting exclusion area demonstrates that our scheme allows for the exclusion of a range of ALP mass in the range

10^{-10}\le m_{a}\le 10^{2}\,\textrm{eV}

10 - 10 ≤ m a ≤ 10 2 eV and ALP-atom coupling constant in the range

10^{-13}\le g_{ae}\le 10^{0}

10 - 13 ≤ g ae ≤ 10 0 .

The search for the axion like particles (APLs)-one of the deepest puzzles in modern cosmology-may hold the key to understanding dark matter and dark energy. In this work, we introduce a setup taking advantage of the quantum metrology techniques to constrain the hypothetical mass and coupling constants of APLs by employing exotic pseudoscalar spin-spin interactions between fermions mediated by ALPs. A key advantage of our approach is the exploitation of position-dependent spin sensor results to the high sensitivity of the probe. To simultaneously investigate the axion mass and coupling constants, we invoke a multi-probe detection strategy. Through this strategy, we circumvent the singularity of the quantum Fisher information matrix as an ultimate upper bound on the sensitivity of any probe. For the axion masses in the range of

m_a {\le} 10^{-3} \text{eV}

, this setup can exclude values of axion coupling constants

g^e_pg^n_p

down to

10^{-7}

.

Quantum mechanics allows for states in macroscopic superpositions, but they ordinarily undergo rapid decoherence due to interactions with their environment. A system that only interacts gravitationally, such as an arrangement of dark matter (DM), may exhibit slow decoherence. In this Letter, we compute the decoherence rate of a quantum object within general relativity, focusing on superposed metric oscillations; a rare quantum general relativistic result. For axion DM in a superposition of the field's phase, we find that DM in the Milky Way is robust against decoherence, while a spatial superposition is not. This novel phase behavior may impact direct detection experiments.

We present the design and status of a detector to search for axions and axion-like particles in the galactic halo using quantum-enhanced interferometry. The operating principle is related to previously reported ideas, but aims for axions in the mass range from 10−16 eV up to 10−8 eV. We also show how to apply squeezed states of light to enhance the sensitivity similar to the gravitational-wave detectors. This experiment has the potential to be further scaled up to a multi-kilometre long detector and to then set constraints of the axion-photon coupling coefficient of ∼ 10−18 GeV−1 for axion masses of 10−16 eV, or detect a signal.

Abstract In this invited review in honor of 100 years since the Stern-Gerlach (SG) experiments, we describe a decade of SG interferometry on the atom chip. The SG effect has been a paradigm of quantum mechanics throughout the last century, but there has been surprisingly little evidence that the original scheme, with freely propagating atoms exposed to gradients from macroscopic magnets, is a fully coherent quantum process. Specifically, no full-loop SG interferometer (SGI) has been realized with the scheme as envisioned decades ago. Furthermore, several theoretical studies have explained why it is a formidable challenge. Here we provide a review of our SG experiments over the last decade. We describe several novel configurations such as that giving rise to the first SG spatial interference fringes, and the first full-loop SGI realization. These devices are based on highly accurate magnetic fields, originating from an atom chip, that ensure coherent operation within strict constraints described by previous theoretical analyses. Achieving this high level of control over magnetic gradients is expected to facilitate technological applications such as probing of surfaces and currents, as well as metrology. Fundamental applications include the probing of the foundations of quantum theory, gravity, and the interface of quantum mechanics and gravity. We end with an outlook describing possible future experiments.

Quantum coherence is one of the most striking features of quantum mechanics rooted in the superposition principle. Recently, it has been demonstrated that it is possible to harvest the quantum coherence from a coherent scalar field. In order to explore a new method of detecting axion dark matter, we consider a point-like Unruh–DeWitt detector coupled to the axion field and quantify a coherent measure of the detector. We show that the detector can harvest the quantum coherence from the axion dark matter. To be more precise, we consider a two-level electron system in an atom as the detector. In this case, we obtain the coherence measure [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are an observation time and the Lorentz factor. At the same time, the axion mass [Formula: see text] we can probe is determined by the energy gap of the detector.

Quantum mechanics allows for states in macroscopic superpositions, but they ordinarily undergo rapid decoherence due to interactions with their environment. A system that only interacts gravitationally, such as an arrangement of dark matter (DM), may exhibit slow decoherence. In this letter, we compute the decoherence rate of a quantum object in general relativity. For axion DM in a superposition of the field's phase, we find that DM in the Milky Way is robust against decoherence, while a spatial superposition is not. This novel phase behavior may be relevant to direct detection experiments.