Atomic and molecular transitions induced by axions via oscillating nuclear moments

TL;DR

This paper calculates the rates of atomic and molecular transitions induced by axion-like dark matter through oscillating nuclear moments, proposing a method for detecting axions via these nuclear transitions.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed calculations of transition rates caused by oscillating nuclear moments due to axions, highlighting potential detection strategies.

Findings

Transition rates can reach up to 10^{-16} per molecule per year for certain nuclei.

MQM-induced transitions may be of M2-type, aiding background noise reduction.

Detection of these transitions offers a new avenue for axion dark matter searches.

Abstract

The interaction of standard model's particles with the axionic Dark Matter field may generate oscillating nuclear electric dipole moments (EDMs), oscillating nuclear Schiff moments and oscillating nuclear magnetic quadrupole moments (MQMs) with a frequency corresponding to the axion's Compton frequency. Within an atom or a molecule an oscillating EDM, Schiff moment or MQM can drive transitions between atomic or molecular states. The excitation events can be detected, for example, via subsequent fluorescence or photoionization. Here we calculate the rates of such transitions. If the nucleus has octupole deformation or quadrupole deformation then the transition rate due to Schiff moment and MQM can be up to $10^{-16}$ transition per molecule per year. In addition, an MQM-induced transition may be of M2-type, which is useful for the elimination of background noise since M2-type transitions are suppressed for photons.