Detecting Gravitationally Interacting Dark Matter with Quantum Interference

TL;DR

This paper proposes a theoretical method to detect gravitationally interacting dark matter particles using quantum interference in Josephson junctions, potentially revealing their elusive nature.

Contribution

It introduces a novel quantum interference protocol employing Josephson junctions to directly detect dark matter particles that interact gravitationally.

Findings

Theoretically demonstrates gravity-mediated quantum phase shifts as a detection method.

Proposes a feasible experimental setup using Josephson junctions.

Highlights potential to identify dark matter particles with Planck-scale masses.

Abstract

In spite or the large astronomical evidence for its existence, the nature of dark matter remains enigmatic. Particles that interact only, or almost only, gravitationally, in particular with masses around the Planck mass -- the fundamental scale in quantum gravity, are intriguing candidates. Here we show that there is a theoretical possibility to directly detect such particles using highly sensitive gravity-mediated quantum phase shifts. In particular, we consider a protocol utilizing Josephson junctions.