Cross-Correlation Signal Processing for Axion and WISP Dark Matter Searches

Area of Science:

• * Fundamental physics and cosmology
• * Particle astrophysics and dark matter detection

Background:

• * The nature of dark matter remains one of the most significant unsolved problems in cosmology.
• * Weakly interacting slim particles (WISPs), including axions and hidden sector photons, are theoretically favored dark matter candidates.
• * Experiments utilizing microwave cavities are a leading approach for detecting WISP signals, often involving the detection of faint photon signals.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To address the technical challenges associated with power combining multiple microwave cavities for WISP detection.
• * To propose an innovative scheme that enhances the signal-to-noise ratio for WISP detection experiments.
• * To improve the sensitivity and feasibility of WISP searches using resonant cavities.

Main Methods:

• * Development of a novel power combining scheme for microwave cavities.
• * Utilizing cross-correlation techniques to synchronize and combine signals from multiple cavities.
• * Theoretical analysis and simulation of the proposed cross-correlation scheme for signal enhancement.

Main Results:

• * The proposed cross-correlation scheme effectively addresses technical concerns in power combining cavities.
• * Demonstrated potential for significantly increasing the signal-to-noise ratio of candidate WISP signals.
• * The method offers a viable pathway to enhance the sensitivity of WISP detection experiments.

Conclusions:

• * Cross-correlation offers a robust solution for power combining microwave cavities in WISP searches.
• * The proposed method has the potential to improve the discovery reach for dark matter candidates like axions.
• * This technique represents a significant advancement in experimental strategies for detecting weakly interacting slim particles.