Searching for scalar field dark matter with hyperfine transitions in alkali atoms

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel method to detect scalar field dark matter by observing hyperfine transitions in alkali atoms caused by oscillations in fundamental constants, potentially revealing dark matter in the micro-electronvolt mass range.

Contribution

It introduces a new experimental approach using hyperfine transitions in alkali atoms to detect scalar field dark matter, focusing on oscillations of fundamental constants.

Findings

Proposes a sensitive experiment for scalar field dark matter detection.

Identifies the mass range $1\,rac{eV}{rac{eV}}<m<100\,rac{eV}$ for potential detection.

Estimates the probability of hyperfine transitions induced by dark matter oscillations.

Abstract

Fundamental constants such as masses and coupling constants of elementary particles can have small temporal and spatial variations in the scalar field dark matter model. These variations entail time oscillations of other constants, such as the Bohr and nuclear magnetons, Bohr radius and the hyperfine structure constant. In the presence of an external magnetic field, these oscillations induce hyperfine transitions in atoms and molecules. We determine the probability of magnetic dipole hyperfine transitions, caused by the oscillating fundamental constants, and propose an experiment that could detect the scalar field dark matter through this effect. This experiment may be sensitive to the scalar field and axion dark matter with mass in the range $1\,\mu\text{eV}<m<100\,\mu\text{eV}$.