First results from the Axion Dark-Matter Birefringent Cavity (ADBC) experiment

TL;DR

The ADBC experiment is an optical cavity setup that searches for axion-induced birefringence, providing new constraints on axion-like particles and demonstrating tunability and quantum noise-limited sensitivity across a range of masses.

Contribution

First optical, tunable, quantum noise-limited axion detector probing specific mass ranges and setting new limits on ALP-photon coupling.

Findings

Probed axion mass ranges 40.9-43.3, 49.3-50.6, 54.4-56.7 neV/c^2

No dark matter signal detected in these ranges

Set upper limit on ALP-photon coupling at 1.9×10^{-8} GeV^{-1}

Abstract

Axions and axion-like particles are strongly motivated dark matter candidates that are the subject of many current ground based dark matter searches. We present first results from the Axion Dark-Matter Birefringent Cavity (ADBC) experiment, which is an optical bow-tie cavity probing the axion-induced birefringence of electromagnetic waves. Our experiment is the first optical axion detector that is tunable and quantum noise limited, making it sensitive to a wide range of axion masses. We have iteratively probed the axion mass range 40.9-43.3$\text{ neV/c}^2$, 49.3-50.6$\text{ neV/c}^2$, and 54.4-56.7$\text{ neV/c}^2$, and found no dark matter signal. On average, we constrain the ALP-photon coupling at the level $g_{a\gamma\gamma} \leq 1.9\times 10^{-8} \text{ GeV}^{-1}$. We also present prospects for future axion dark matter detection experiments using optical cavities.