Progress toward an ultralight dark matter search with ultracold SrOH molecules

POSTER

Abstract

Dark matter comprises most of the mass in the universe, but its microscopic properties remain unknown. One potential candidate for dark matter is ultralight dark matter (UDM), which can interact with Standard Model particles and induce oscillations in fundamental constants [1]. A near-degeneracy of different vibrational states of SrOH (characterized by stretching of the Sr-O bond and bending from a linear geometry, respectively) enables sensitive microwave probes of UDM oscillations [2]. We have recently demonstrated a magneto-optical trap (MOT) of SrOH [3], and present ongoing work to efficiently transfer the molecules into an optical dipole trap (ODT). Additionally, we discuss characterization of the UDM-sensitive “science states” using the MOT and ODT.

[1]: A. Arvanitaki, J. Huang, and K. Van Tilburg, Phys. Rev. D 91, 015015 (2015)

[2]: I. Kozyryev, Z. Lasner, and J. M. Doyle, Phys. Rev. A 103, 043313 (2021).

[3]: Z. Lasner et al., arXiv:2409.04948 (2024).

*Q-SEnSE: Quantum Systems through Entangled Science and Engineering (NSF QLCI Award OMA-2016244)

Publication: "Magneto-optical trapping of a heavy polyatomic molecule for precision measurement," Z. Lasner et al., arXiv:2409.04948 (2024)

Presenters

  • Mingda Li

    • Harvard University

Authors

  • Mingda Li

    • Harvard University

  • Zack Lasner

    • Harvard University

  • Alexander Frenett

    • Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, Michigan State University
    • Facility for Rare Isotope Beams

  • Hiromitsu Sawaoka

    • Harvard University

  • Loic G Anderegg

    • University of Southern California

  • Benjamin L Augenbraun

    • Williams College

  • Hana Lampson

    • Harvard University

  • Annika Lunstad

    • Harvard University

  • Abdullah Nasir

    • Harvard University

  • Jack Mango

    • Harvard University

  • Rachel Fields

    • Harvard University

  • Tasuku Ono

    • Harvard University

  • Takashi Sakamoto

    • University of Tokyo

  • John M Doyle

    • Harvard University