Quantum relic axion detection sensor

• Applicants: Dr. Babette Döbrich; Professor Wolfgang Wernsdorfer, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Optics, Quantum Optics and Physics of Atoms, Molecules and Plasmas ; Nuclear and Elementary Particle Physics, Quantum Mechanics, Relativity, Fields
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 532766533

Axions, or axions-like particles, are important candidates for dark matter in the universe. The QRADES project is devoted to their quantum enhanced detection in the Milky Way halo. The focus of the project will be the magneto-electric coupling term in Maxwell’s equations expected to arise from the existence of axions. Theory predicts them to be with the maximum likelihood in the microwave range. The detecting scheme developed in the project will be based on mature quantum sensing technology in the microwave range using superconducting quantum circuits and magnonics. We expect within the QRADES project to enable at least two orders of magnitude increase of the scanning range for the axion mass/frequency. The methods developed in the QRADES project will borrow both from quantum physics of circuits and from particle physics. This will allow us to probe cosmologically relevant corrections to Maxwell’s equations at the quantum limit. Our experiments will allow us either to detect for the first time prominent dark matter candidates or to put new constraints on the modifications of the standard model

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Finland, France, Spain
• Partner Organisation: Agence Nationale de la Recherche / The French National Research Agency
• Cooperation Partners: Dr. Pol Forn-Diaz; Professor Igor Irastorza; Professor Dr. Takis Kontos; Professor Sorin Paraoanu