A terrestrial search for dark contents of the vacuum, such as dark energy, using atom interferometry

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel earth-based atom interferometry method to detect dark energy or dark content of the vacuum by observing irregular phase shifts, with future potential for satellite-based experiments.

Contribution

It introduces a new experimental approach using dual atom interferometers to search for inhomogeneous dark vacuum content on Earth, extending to satellite applications.

Findings

Experimental setup is under construction.

The method can differentiate dark vacuum signals from noise.

Potential for space-based detection of dark energy.

Abstract

We describe the theory and first experimental work on our concept for searching on earth for the presence of dark content of the vacuum (DCV) using atom interferometry. Specifically, we have in mind any DCV that has not yet been detected on a laboratory scale, but might manifest itself as dark energy on the cosmological scale. The experimental method uses two atom interferometers to cancel the effect of earth's gravity and diverse noise sources. It depends upon two assumptions: first, that the DCV possesses some space inhomogeneity in density, and second that it exerts a sufficiently strong non-gravitational force on matter. The motion of the apparatus through the DCV should then lead to an irregular variation in the detected matter-wave phase shift. We discuss the nature of this signal and note the problem of distinguishing it from instrumental noise. We also discuss the relation of our experiment to what might be learned by studying the noise in gravitational wave detectors such as LIGO.The paper concludes with a projection that a future search of this nature might be carried out using an atom interferometer in an orbiting satellite. The apparatus is now being constructed.