Axion Dark Matter Detection using Atomic Transitions

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel method for detecting axion dark matter by observing atomic transitions induced by axions, utilizing atomic energy tuning via the Zeeman effect and laser techniques at very low temperatures.

Contribution

It introduces a new experimental approach combining atomic physics and cryogenics to search for axion dark matter in the 10^{-4} eV mass range.

Findings

Feasible detection method for axion masses around 10^{-4} eV.

Utilizes atomic transitions and laser techniques for axion detection.

Proposes cooling kilogram-sized samples to milliKelvin temperatures.

Abstract

Dark matter axions may cause transitions between atomic states that differ in energy by an amount equal to the axion mass. Such energy differences are conveniently tuned using the Zeeman effect. It is proposed to search for dark matter axions by cooling a kilogram-sized sample to milliKelvin temperatures and count axion induced transitions using laser techniques. This appears an appropriate approach to axion dark matter detection in the $10^{-4}$ eV mass range.