Cross-correlation measurement techniques for cavity-based axion and weakly interacting slim particle searches

TL;DR

This paper proposes a cross-correlation technique to effectively power combine multiple microwave cavities, enhancing the detection sensitivity for weak signals from dark matter candidates like axions and hidden sector photons.

Contribution

It introduces a novel cross-correlation measurement scheme for cavity-based WISP searches, addressing technical challenges of power combining multiple cavities.

Findings

Improved signal-to-noise ratio through cross-correlation

Potential for more sensitive WISP detection experiments

Addresses technical concerns of cavity power combining

Abstract

The search for dark matter is of fundamental importance to our understanding of the universe. Weakly-Interacting Slim Particles (WISPs) such as axions and hidden sector photons (HSPs) are well motivated candidates for the dark matter. Some of the most sensitive and mature experiments to detect WISPs rely on microwave cavities, and the detection of weak photon signals. It is often suggested to power combine multiple cavities, which creates a host of technical concerns. We outline a scheme based on cross-correlation for effectively power combining cavities and increasing the signal-to-noise ratio of a candidate WISP signal.