AION: An Atom Interferometer Observatory and Network

TL;DR

AION is a proposed UK-based atom interferometer network using cold strontium atoms to search for ultra-light dark matter, detect mid-frequency gravitational waves, and explore fundamental physics, complementing existing and planned experiments.

Contribution

It introduces the AION experimental concept, highlighting its scientific goals and potential synergies with other gravitational wave and dark matter searches.

Findings

Conceptual framework for AION proposed

Potential to detect ultra-light dark matter and mid-frequency gravitational waves

Synergies with other experiments like MAGIS, LIGO, and LISA

Abstract

We outline the experimental concept and key scientific capabilities of AION (Atom Interferometer Observatory and Network), a proposed UK-based experimental programme using cold strontium atoms to search for ultra-light dark matter, to explore gravitational waves in the mid-frequency range between the peak sensitivities of the LISA and LIGO/Virgo/ KAGRA/INDIGO/Einstein Telescope/Cosmic Explorer experiments, and to probe other frontiers in fundamental physics. AION would complement other planned searches for dark matter, as well as probe mergers involving intermediate mass black holes and explore early universe cosmology. AION would share many technical features with the MAGIS experimental programme in the US, and synergies would flow from operating AION in a network with this experiment, as well as with other atom interferometer experiments such as MIGA, ZAIGA and ELGAR. Operating AION in a network with other gravitational wave detectors such as LIGO, Virgo and LISA would also offer many synergies.