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Updated: Jul 8, 2026
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Scalable Quantum Integrated Circuits on Superconducting Two-Dimensional Electron Gas Platform
Published on: August 2, 2019
Quantum Semiconductor Heterostructures for meV Axion Dark Matter Detection.
Jaanita Mehrani1,2, Tao Xu3, Andrey Baydin2,4
1Rice University, Applied Physics Graduate Program, Smalley-Curl Institute, Houston, Texas 77005, USA.
Physical Review Letters
|July 7, 2026
Summary
We introduce Semiconductor-Quantum-Well Axion Radiometer Experiments (SQWAREs), a novel detector class for direct axion dark matter detection. These devices utilize quantum semiconductor heterostructures to enhance axion-photon conversion, probing the meV mass range.
Area of Science:
- * Particle Physics
- * Astrophysics
- * Condensed Matter Physics
Background:
- * Dark matter constitutes a significant portion of the universe's mass-energy content.
- * Axions are a well-motivated dark matter candidate, particularly in the meV mass range.
- * Direct detection of axion dark matter remains a significant experimental challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To propose a novel strategy and a new class of detectors for the direct detection of axion dark matter.
- * To explore the meV mass range for axion dark matter candidates.
- * To utilize resonantly enhanced axion-photon conversion via the inverse Primakoff effect.
Main Methods:
- * Development of Semiconductor-Quantum-Well Axion Radiometer Experiments (SQWAREs) using engineered radiometers.
- * Implementation of magnetoplasmonic cavities with tunable epsilon-near-zero resonances in quantum semiconductor heterostructures.
- * In situ optimization of resonance frequency and axion-induced current via cavity orientation in a magnetic field, followed by photodetector signal measurement.
Main Results:
- * Demonstrated theoretical basis for resonant enhancement in SQWAREs.
- * Detailed experimental design and validated through extensive simulations.
- * Projected sensitivity of SQWAREs for realistic configurations, showing potential to probe the quantum chromodynamics axion parameter space.
Conclusions:
- * SQWAREs offer a flexible and modular approach for direct axion dark matter detection.
- * The proposed method can efficiently scan broad axion mass ranges without complex mechanical adjustments.
- * SQWAREs have the potential to close a critical gap in direct dark matter searches within the meV mass range.
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