DMRadio-Core: A new approach for GUT-scale axion searches

TL;DR

This paper introduces DMRadio-Core, a novel experimental design for GUT-scale axion searches that enhances sensitivity while reducing energy requirements, enabling cost-effective exploration of a key mass range.

Contribution

Proposes a new segmented solenoid geometry with LC resonators to improve axion detection sensitivity and reduce stored energy in GUT-scale axion searches.

Findings

Enables a near-term experiment in the 30-200 MHz range.

Allows staged scaling to a GUT-scale experiment in the 100 kHz-30 MHz range.

Reduces the magnetic energy needed while maintaining sensitivity.

Abstract

Searches for QCD axions with masses in the neV/$c^2$ mass range are strongly motivated by new physics at the GUT scale and by well-motivated pre-inflationary axion symmetry breaking scales. This parameter space is challenging to probe due to the small axion-photon couplings, which typically require large, high-field magnets with substantial stored energy. In this paper, we propose a new experimental geometry based on a narrow-bore, segmented solenoid that optimizes the collection of the axion-induced signal using LC resonators outside the high-field region of the magnet bore. This alternative optimization significantly reduces the required stored magnetic energy while preserving sensitivity, enabling a near-term experiment in the 30-200 MHz (120-830 neV/$c^2$) range, with a cost-effective, staged scaling to a GUT-scale experiment in the 100 kHz-30 MHz (0.4-120 neV/$c^2$) range.