Transmon Qubit Constraints on Dark Matter-Nucleon Scattering

TL;DR

This paper explores how transmon qubits can be used to detect dark matter by measuring quasiparticle densities, providing new constraints on dark matter-nucleon interactions below 100 MeV, and highlighting future detection potential.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method using transmon qubits to set strong laboratory bounds on low-mass dark matter interactions, surpassing traditional detection techniques.

Findings

Transmon qubits can detect dark matter-induced quasiparticles at meV energy scales.

Current measurements set strong bounds on dark matter-nucleon scattering below 100 MeV.

Future devices with lower quasiparticle densities could significantly improve detection sensitivity.

Abstract

We recently pointed out that power measurements of single quasiparticle devices can be used to detect dark matter. These devices have the lowest known energy thresholds, far surpassing standard direct detection experiments, requiring energy deposition above only about an meV. We calculate dark matter induced quasiparticle densities in transmon qubits, and use the latest transmon qubit measurements that provide one of the strongest existing lab-based bounds on dark matter-nucleon scattering below about 100 MeV. We strongly constrain sub-component dark matter, using both a dark matter population thermalized in the Earth as well as the dark matter wind from the Galactic halo. We demonstrate future potential sensitivities using devices with low quasiparticle densities.