Precision Metrology Meets Cosmology: Improved Constraints on Ultralight Dark Matter from Atom-Cavity Frequency...

Area of Science:

• Physics
• Cosmology
• Astrophysics

Background:

• Ultralight dark matter candidates may couple to standard model particles and fields.
• Precision measurements using atomic clocks can probe these interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To set new bounds on the coupling of ultralight dark matter to standard model particles and fields.
• To improve existing limits on ultralight dark matter moduli, particularly at higher masses.

Main Methods:

• Frequency comparisons between a strontium optical lattice clock, a cryogenic crystalline silicon cavity, and a hydrogen maser.
• Utilizing a two-part ratio comparison for differential sensitivity to variations in fundamental constants.
• Employing dynamical decoupling techniques to extend the search range to higher dark matter masses.

Main Results:

• New, substantially improved limits on ultralight dark matter moduli were achieved.
• The improved limits are particularly significant at higher dark matter masses compared to typical atomic spectroscopic results.
• The search range for ultralight dark matter was extended to higher masses.

Conclusions:

• Advanced atomic clocks are crucial for fundamental physics applications.
• All-optical timescales are becoming increasingly important and will likely replace microwave timescales.
• This work demonstrates the power of precision metrology in the search for new physics beyond the Standard Model.