The Multi-mode Acoustic Gravitational Wave Experiment: MAGE

TL;DR

MAGE is a high-frequency gravitational wave detector using quartz resonators, aiming to identify signals from beyond-standard-model objects and clarify previous transient detections.

Contribution

MAGE introduces a multi-resonator setup with enhanced rejection strategies, advancing gravitational wave detection at MHz frequencies beyond prior single-detector experiments.

Findings

Demonstrated successful use of quartz resonators for gravitational wave detection

Achieved spectral sensitivity of 6.6×10⁻²¹ strain/√Hz in narrow MHz bands

Assembled and tested the MAGE setup for calibration and thermal stability

Abstract

The Multi-mode Acoustic Gravitational wave Experiment (MAGE) is a high frequency gravitational wave detection experiment. In its first stage, the experiment features two near-identical quartz bulk acoustic wave resonators that act as strain antennas with spectral sensitivity as low as $6.6\times 10^{-21} \left[\textrm{strain}\right]/\sqrt{\textrm{Hz}}$ in multiple narrow bands across MHz frequencies. MAGE is the successor to the initial path-finding experiments; GEN 1 and GEN 2. These precursor runs demonstrated the successful use of the technology, employing a single quartz gravitational wave detector that found significantly strong and rare transient features. As the next step to this initial experiment, MAGE will employ further systematic rejection strategies by adding an additional quartz detector such that localised strains incident on just a single detector can be identified. The primary goals of MAGE will be to target signatures arising from objects and/or particles beyond that of the standard model, as well as identifying the source of the rare events seen in the predecessor experiment. The experimental set-up, current status and future directions for MAGE are discussed. Calibration procedures of the detector and signal amplification chain are presented. The sensitivity of MAGE to gravitational waves is estimated from knowledge of the quartz resonators. Finally, MAGE is assembled and tested in order to determine the thermal state of its new components.