A Search for Ultra-Light Vector Dark Matter with a Rotating Torsion Balance

TL;DR

This study searches for ultra-light vector dark matter using a rotating torsion balance, setting new limits on its interaction strength within a specific mass range, advancing the understanding of dark matter properties.

Contribution

It introduces a novel experimental approach to detect ultra-light vector dark matter through baryon minus lepton number interactions, establishing new sensitivity limits.

Findings

Set upper limits on coupling strength down to $g_{B-L} \\leq 9 imes 10^{-26}$

Explored a mass range from 1.3×10^{-22} to 1.9×10^{-18} eV

Provided constraints on ultra-light vector dark matter interactions.

Abstract

We search for ultra-light vector dark matter interacting with a rotating torsion balance with a baryon minus lepton number composition dipole. Our search spans candidate masses in the ultra-low mass range from 1.3~$\times10^{-22}$ to 1.9~$\times10^{-18}$ eV. We set limits on the coupling strength to baryon minus lepton number for each dark matter candidate reaching a peak sensitivity of $g_{B-L} \leq 9 \times 10^{-26}$.