Improved bounds on ultralight scalar dark matter in the radio-frequency range

Abstract

We present a search for fundamental constant oscillations in the range $20$~kHz-$100$ MHz, that may arise within models for ultralight dark matter (UDM). Using two independent, significantly upgraded optical-spectroscopy apparatus, we achieve up to $\times$1000 greater sensitivity in the search relative to previous work. We report no observation of UDM and thus constrain respective couplings to electrons and photons within the investigated UDM particle mass range $8\cdot 10^{-11}-4\cdot 10^{-7}$ eV. The constraints significantly exceed previously set bounds, and as we show, may surpass in future experiments those provided by equivalence-principle experiments in a specific case regarding the combination of UDM couplings probed by the latter.

13 pages, 11 figures

References in corpus (8)

• Test of the Equivalence Principle Using a Rotating Torsion Balance
• A custodial symmetry for Zbb
• The Well-Tempered Neutralino
• Searching for dilaton dark matter with atomic clocks
• Search for ultralight scalar dark matter with atomic spectroscopy
• Short-range tests of the equivalence principle
• Searching for dark matter and variation of fundamental constants with laser and maser interferometry
• Redefining the Axion Window