A SQUID-based microwave cavity search for dark-matter axions

Authors :: The ADMX Collaboration
Asztalos, S. J.
Carosi, G.
Hagmann, C.
Kinion, D.
van Bibber, K.
Hotz, M.
Rosenberg, L.
Rybka, G.
Hoskins, J.
Hwang, J.
Sikivie, P.
Tanner, D. B.
Bradley, R.
Clarke, J.
Source :: Phys.Rev.Lett.104:041301,2010
Publication Year :: 2009
Abstract: Axions in the micro eV mass range are a plausible cold dark matter candidate and may be detected by their conversion into microwave photons in a resonant cavity immersed in a static magnetic field. The first result from such an axion search using a superconducting first-stage amplifier (SQUID) is reported. The SQUID amplifier, replacing a conventional GaAs field-effect transistor amplifier, successfully reached axion-photon coupling sensitivity in the band set by present axion models and sets the stage for a definitive axion search utilizing near quantum-limited SQUID amplifiers.<br />Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures, submitted to PRL