Dielectric Haloscopes: A New Way to Detect Axion Dark Matter

Nov 17, 2016
6 pages
Published in:
  • Phys.Rev.Lett. 118 (2017) 9, 091801
  • Published: Mar 3, 2017
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Abstract: (APS)
We propose a new strategy to search for dark matter axions in the mass range of 40–400 μeV by introducing dielectric haloscopes, which consist of dielectric disks placed in a magnetic field. The changing dielectric media cause discontinuities in the axion-induced electric field, leading to the generation of propagating electromagnetic waves to satisfy the continuity requirements at the interfaces. Large-area disks with adjustable distances boost the microwave signal (10–100 GHz) to an observable level and allow one to scan over a broad axion mass range. A sensitivity to QCD axion models is conceivable with 80 disks of 1  m2 area contained in a 10 T field.
Note:
  • 6 pages, 3 figures. v2: minor changes to align with published version
  • axion: dark matter
  • quantum chromodynamics: axion
  • wave: electromagnetic
  • dielectric
  • magnetic field
  • electric field: induced
  • microwaves
  • experimental methods