SQUID-based microwave cavity search for dark-matter axions

Relation between optimal nonlinearity and non-Gaussian noise: enhancing a weak signal in a nonlinear system

In the study of stochastic resonance, it is often mentioned that nonlinearity can enhance a weak signal embedded in noise. In order to give a systematic proof of the signal enhancement in nonlinear systems, we derive an optimal nonlinearity that maximizes a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The obtained optimal nonlinearity yields the maximum unbiased signal estimation performance, which is known in the context of information theory. It is found that a linear system is optimal for a Gaussian noise, but for a non-Gaussian noise, there exist nonlinear systems that can achieve an SNR higher than that obtained from linear systems. This analysis refers to a system subjected to an additive non-Gaussian noise with a small signal input.

Josephson junction microwave amplifier in self-organized noise compression mode

The fundamental noise limit of a phase-preserving amplifier at frequency [Formula: see text] is the standard quantum limit [Formula: see text]. In the microwave range, the best candidates have been amplifiers based on superconducting quantum interference devices (reaching the noise temperature [Formula: see text] at 700 MHz), and non-degenerate parametric amplifiers (reaching noise levels close to the quantum limit [Formula: see text] at 8 GHz). We introduce a new type of an amplifier based on the negative resistance of a selectively damped Josephson junction. Noise performance of our amplifier is limited by mixing of quantum noise from Josephson oscillation regime down to the signal frequency. Measurements yield nearly quantum-limited operation, [Formula: see text] at 2.8 GHz, owing to self-organization of the working point. Simulations describe the characteristics of our device well and indicate potential for wide bandwidth operation.

Search for sub-eV mass solar axions by the CERN Axion Solar Telescope with 3He buffer gas

The CERN Axion Solar Telescope (CAST) has extended its search for solar axions by using (3)He as a buffer gas. At T=1.8 K this allows for larger pressure settings and hence sensitivity to higher axion masses than our previous measurements with (4)He. With about 1 h of data taking at each of 252 different pressure settings we have scanned the axion mass range 0.39 eV≲m(a)≲0.64 eV. From the absence of excess x rays when the magnet was pointing to the Sun we set a typical upper limit on the axion-photon coupling of g(aγ)≲2.3×10(-10) GeV(-1) at 95% C.L., the exact value depending on the pressure setting. Kim-Shifman-Vainshtein-Zakharov axions are excluded at the upper end of our mass range, the first time ever for any solar axion search. In the future we will extend our search to m(a)≲1.15 eV, comfortably overlapping with cosmological hot dark matter bounds.

Improved constraints on an axion-mediated force

Low mass pseudoscalars, such as the axion, can mediate macroscopic parity and time-reversal symmetry-violating forces. We searched for such a force between polarized electrons and unpolarized atoms using a novel, magnetically unshielded torsion pendulum. We improved the laboratory bounds on this force by more than 10 orders of magnitude for pseudoscalars heavier than 1 meV and have constrained this force over a broad range of astrophysically interesting masses (10  μeV to 10 meV).

Photon regeneration experiment for axion search using x-rays

In this Letter we describe our novel photon regeneration experiment for the axionlike particle search using an x-ray beam with a photon energy of 50.2 and 90.7 keV, two superconducting magnets of 3 T, and a Ge detector with a high quantum efficiency. A counting rate of regenerated photons compatible with zero has been measured. The corresponding limits on the pseudoscalar axionlike particle-two-photon coupling constant is obtained as a function of the particle mass. Our setup widens the energy window of purely terrestrial experiments devoted to the axionlike particle search by coupling to two photons. It also opens a new domain of experimental investigation of photon propagation in magnetic fields.

Search for hidden sector photons with the ADMX detector

Hidden U(1) gauge symmetries are common to many extensions of the standard model proposed to explain dark matter. The hidden gauge vector bosons of such extensions may mix kinetically with standard model photons, providing a means for electromagnetic power to pass through conducting barriers. The axion dark matter experiment detector was used to search for hidden vector bosons originating in an emitter cavity driven with microwave power. We exclude hidden vector bosons with kinetic couplings χ>3.48×10⁻⁸ for masses less than 3  μeV. This limit represents an improvement of more than 2 orders of magnitude in sensitivity relative to previous cavity experiments.

Search for chameleon scalar fields with the axion dark matter experiment

Scalar fields with a "chameleon" property, in which the effective particle mass is a function of its local environment, are common to many theories beyond the standard model and could be responsible for dark energy. If these fields couple weakly to the photon, they could be detectable through the afterglow effect of photon-chameleon-photon transitions. The ADMX experiment was used in the first chameleon search with a microwave cavity to set a new limit on scalar chameleon-photon coupling βγ excluding values between 2×10(9) and 5×10(14) for effective chameleon masses between 1.9510 and 1.9525  μeV.