# Detecting Dark Matter with Aharonov-Bohm

## TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel method to detect dark matter by observing phase shifts in Aharonov-Bohm experiments caused by dark magnetic monopoles coupled to our photon via kinetic mixing.

## Contribution

It introduces a new experimental approach to detect magnetic monopoles of dark U(1)_D gauge theories through Aharonov-Bohm phase shifts, expanding dark matter detection strategies.

## Key findings

- Dark magnetic monopoles can produce measurable Aharonov-Bohm phase shifts.
- Existing constraints on dark monopoles are discussed.
- Experimental sensitivity requirements are quantified for detection.

## Abstract

While the evidence for dark matter continues to grow, the nature of the dark matter remains a mystery. A dark $U(1)_D$ gauge theory can have a small kinetic mixing with the visible photon which provides a portal to the dark sector. Magnetic monopoles of the dark $U(1)_D$ can obtain small magnetic couplings to our photon through this kinetic mixing. This coupling is only manifest below the mass of the dark photon; at these scales the monopoles are bound together by tubes of dark magnetic flux. These flux tubes can produce phase shifts in Aharonov-Bohm type experiments. We outline how this scenario might be realized, examine the existing constraints, and quantify the experimental sensitivity required to detect magnetic dipole dark matter in this novel way.