Searching for axion forces with spin precession in atoms and molecules

TL;DR

This paper proposes using atomic and molecular spin precession experiments as sensitive quantum sensors to detect axion-mediated monopole-dipole forces, offering new experimental strategies for axion searches.

Contribution

It introduces novel methods employing atomic and molecular beams with co-magnetometer states for axion detection, expanding the experimental toolkit for axion searches.

Findings

Atomic and molecular beams can effectively detect axion-induced spin precession.

Experimental strategies for local axion gradient detection are outlined.

Potential for using laser-cooled atoms and molecules in axion searches is discussed.

Abstract

We propose to use atoms and molecules as quantum sensors of axion-mediated monopole-dipole forces. We show that electron spin precession experiments using atomic and molecular beams are well-suited for axion searches thanks to the presence of co-magnetometer states and single-shot temporal resolution. Experimental strategies to detect axion gradients from localised sources and the earth are presented, taking ACME III as a prototype example. Other possibilities including atomic beams, and laser-cooled atoms and molecules are discussed.