Searching for Scalar Dark Matter with Compact Mechanical Resonators

Area of Science:

• Physics
• Astrophysics
• Cosmology

Background:

• Ultralight scalar fields are a compelling dark matter candidate.
• These candidates may generate detectable mechanical signals by modulating fundamental constants like the Bohr radius.
• Previous searches focused on resonant-mass antennas, limiting the accessible parameter space.

Purpose of the Study:

• To extend dark matter detection strategies to a new class of compact acoustic resonators.
• To explore the potential of superfluid helium and single crystal resonators for detecting ultralight scalar dark matter.
• To investigate a broad, previously unprobed parameter space for scalar dark matter.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing compact gram-to-kilogram mass acoustic resonators.
• Employing superfluid helium and single crystal materials for resonator construction.
• Implementing opto- or electromechanical readout techniques for high-sensitivity displacement detection.
• Operating resonators at cryogenic temperatures with ultrahigh quality (Q) factors.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated the feasibility of using compact acoustic resonators for dark matter searches.
• Identified a significant unprobed parameter space for ultralight scalar dark matter.
• Established a connection between resonator properties (frequency, Q-factor) and the accessible scalar mass range.

Conclusions:

• Compact, cryogenically cooled acoustic resonators offer a promising new avenue for detecting ultralight scalar dark matter.
• This approach significantly expands the searchable mass range for scalar dark matter, particularly in the 10^-12 to 10^-6 eV range.
• Future experiments with these resonators have the potential to significantly constrain or discover this dark matter candidate.