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arXiv · 1701.08082

Application of Spin-Exchange Relaxation-Free Magnetometry to the Cosmic Axion Spin Precession Experiment

Tao Wang·Derek F. Jackson Kimball·Alexander O. Sushkov·Deniz Aybas·John W. Blanchard·Gary Centers·Sean R. O Kelley·Arne Wickenbrock·Jiancheng Fang·Dmitry Budker
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Abstract

The Cosmic Axion Spin Precession Experiment (CASPEr) seeks to measure oscillating torques on nuclear spins caused by axion or axion-like-particle (ALP) dark matter via nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques. A sample spin-polarized along a leading magnetic field experiences a resonance when the Larmor frequency matches the axion/ALP Compton frequency, generating precessing transverse nuclear magnetization. Here we demonstrate a Spin-Exchange Relaxation-Free (SERF) magnetometer with sensitivity $\approx 1~{\rm fT/\sqrt{Hz}}$ and an effective sensing volume of 0.1 $\rm{cm^3}$ that may be useful for NMR detection in CASPEr. A potential drawback of SERF-magnetometer-based NMR detection is the SERF's limited dynamic range. Use of a magnetic flux transformer to suppress the leading magnetic field is considered as a potential method to expand the SERF's dynamic range in order to probe higher axion/ALP Compton frequencies.

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Tao Wang, Derek F. Jackson Kimball, Alexander O. Sushkov, Deniz Aybas, John W. Blanchard, Gary Centers, Sean R. O Kelley, Arne Wickenbrock, Jiancheng Fang, Dmitry Budker. 2017-01-27. Application of Spin-Exchange Relaxation-Free Magnetometry to the Cosmic Axion Spin Precession Experiment. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dark.2017.11.003

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