Constraints on scalar field dark matter from co-located Michelson interferometers

TL;DR

This paper uses data from co-located interferometers to set new upper limits on scalar field dark matter coupling, significantly improving previous constraints in a specific mass range.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method of using laser interferometers to constrain scalar field dark matter, providing the most stringent limits to date in the studied mass range.

Findings

Set new upper limits on scalar field dark matter coupling parameters.

Improved constraints by up to three orders of magnitude over previous searches.

Focused on a mass range between 1.6×10^{-12} eV and 1.0×10^{-7} eV.

Abstract

Low-mass (sub-eV) scalar field dark matter may induce apparent oscillations of fundamental constants, resulting in corresponding oscillations of the size and the index of refraction of solids. Laser interferometers are highly sensitive to changes in the size and index of refraction of the main beamsplitter. Using cross-correlated data of the Fermilab Holometer instrument, which consists of twin co-located 40-m arm length power-recycled interferometers, we investigate the possible existence of scalar field dark matter candidates in the mass range between 1.6$\cdot$10$^{-12}$ eV and 1.0$\cdot$10$^{-7}$ eV. We set new upper limits for the coupling parameters of scalar field dark matter, improving on limits from previous direct searches by up to three orders of magnitude.