Novel Search for High-Frequency Gravitational Waves with Low-Mass Axion Haloscopes

Area of Science:

• Astrophysics
• Cosmology
• Experimental Physics

Background:

• Gravitational waves (GWs) induce electromagnetic effects in external fields.
• Axion haloscopes, designed to detect dark matter candidates, can be repurposed to search for GWs.
• Existing experiments like ABRACADABRA and SHAFT have begun constraining GWs in the 100 kHz-100 MHz range.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the potential of lumped-element axion haloscopes for detecting gravitational waves.
• To re-interpret existing experimental results in the context of GW detection.
• To project future sensitivity improvements for GW searches using these instruments.

Main Methods:

• Theoretical analysis of the electromagnetic response of haloscopes to GWs.
• Re-analysis of data from ABRACADABRA and SHAFT experiments.
• Modeling the sensitivity scaling of lumped-element detectors with instrument volume.

Main Results:

• Lumped-element detectors exhibit a significant sensitivity scaling with instrument volume for GW detection, outperforming scaling for axion searches.
• The DMRadio-m³ experiment is projected to achieve a GW strain sensitivity of h~10⁻²⁰ at 200 MHz without modifications.
• Parametric enhancement of GW sensitivity is possible through modifications to the pickup loop, especially at lower frequencies.

Conclusions:

• Axion haloscopes are a promising avenue for future gravitational wave detection, particularly in the 100 kHz-100 MHz range.
• Rapid advancements in GW sensitivity are anticipated due to the favorable volume scaling of these instruments.
• Instrumental modifications can further boost GW detection capabilities, opening new frontiers in GW astronomy.