Models of ultra-heavy dark matter visible to macroscopic mechanical sensing arrays

TL;DR

This paper explores the potential of large opto-mechanical sensor arrays to detect ultra-heavy dark matter particles, focusing on models with long-range forces or gravitational interactions, and identifying promising parameter spaces.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive survey of model space for ultra-heavy dark matter detectable by macroscopic mechanical sensors, including new classes of models like Q-balls and gravitational relics.

Findings

Significant parameter space for detecting ultra-heavy dark matter models.

Potential for macroscopic sensors to probe Planck-scale mass particles.

Identification of models with observable signatures in sensor arrays.

Abstract

In recent years, the sensitivity of opto-mechanical force sensors has improved leading to increased interest in using these devices as particle detectors. In this study we consider scenarios where dark matter with mass close to the Planck scale may be probed by a large array of opto-mechanical accelerometers. We motivate a macroscopic mechanical search for ultra-heavy dark matter, exemplified by the efforts of the Windchime collaboration, by providing a survey of the model space that would be visible to such a search. We consider two classes of models, one that invokes a new long-range unscreened force and another that is only gravitationally interacting. We identify significant regions of well-motivated, potentially visible parameter space for versatile models such as Q-balls, composite dark matter, relics of gravitational singularities, and gravitationally produced ultra-heavy particles.