Searching for Vector Dark Matter with an Optomechanical Accelerometer

Area of Science:

• Astrophysics and Particle Physics
• Quantum Optics and Sensing

Background:

• Ultralight dark matter remains a significant mystery in cosmology.
• Existing detection methods face limitations in sensitivity and scope.
• Optomechanical systems offer potential for quantum-limited measurements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the use of optomechanical accelerometers for detecting ultralight dark matter.
• To propose a specific detector design sensitive to baryon-lepton (B-L) charge interactions.
• To assess the potential sensitivity and advantages over current experiments.

Main Methods:

• Designing a resonant detector using a silicon nitride membrane and beryllium mirror forming an optical cavity.
• Leveraging differential material properties to probe B-L forces.
• Utilizing quantum-limited displacement measurements via the optical cavity.
• Simulating sensitivity for a centimeter-scale membrane at 10 mK.

Main Results:

• The proposed detector shows potential to exceed Eöt-Wash experiment sensitivity for vector B-L dark matter.
• Sensitivity is achievable within minutes of integration time.
• The detector operates with a fractional bandwidth of ~0.1% near 10 kHz, targeting dark matter masses around 10^-10 eV/c^2.

Conclusions:

• Optomechanical accelerometers represent a promising new avenue for dark matter detection.
• The proposed design offers enhanced sensitivity to specific dark matter candidates.
• This work paves the way for a new generation of tabletop dark matter experiments.