Gravity Resonance Spectroscopy Constrains Dark Energy and Dark Matter Scenarios

Abstract

We report on precision resonance spectroscopy measurements of quantum states of ultracold neutrons confined above the surface of a horizontal mirror by the gravity potential of the Earth. Resonant transitions between several of the lowest quantum states are observed for the first time. These measurements demonstrate, that Newton's inverse square law of Gravity is understood at micron distances on an energy scale of~$10^{-14}$~eV. At this level of precision we are able to provide constraints on any possible gravity-like interaction. In particular, a dark energy chameleon field is excluded for values of the coupling constant~$\beta >5.8\times 10^8$ at~95% confidence level~(C.L.), and an attractive (repulsive) dark matter axion-like spin-mass coupling is excluded for the coupling strength $g_s{g}_p>3.7\times 10^{-16}$~($5.3\times 10^{-16}$)~at a Yukawa length of~$\lambda =20$~{\textmu}m~(95% (C.L.).

5 pages, 4 figures

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• Constraining Disformally Coupled Scalar Fields
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• Constraining interactions mediated by axion-like particles with ultracold neutrons
• Atomic Interferometry Test of Dark Energy
• Ellipticity Weakens Chameleon Screening
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• Detecting solar chameleons through radiation pressure
• Prospects for Searching Thermal Effects, Non-Newtonian Gravity and Axion-Like Particles: Cannex Test of the Quantum Vacuum
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• Explaining the Proton Radius Puzzle with Disformal Scalars
• Upgrade of the ultracold neutron source at the pulsed reactor TRIGA Mainz
• Search for exotic short-range interactions using paramagnetic insulators
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• Gravitational Searches for Lorentz Violation with Ultracold Neutrons
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• Non-Relativistic Approximation of the Dirac Equation for Slow Fermions in Static Metric Spacetimes
• Standard Electroweak Interactions in Gravitational Theory with Chameleon Field and Torsion
• New Bounds on Dark Energy Induced Fifth Forces
• Precision Measurement of the Position-space Wave Functions of Gravitationally Bound Ultracold Neutrons