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arXiv · 1912.01900

A network of precision gravimeters as a detector of matter with feeble nongravitational coupling

Wenxiang Hu·Matthew Lawson·Dmitry Budker·Nataniel L. Figueroa·Derek F. Jackson Kimball·Allen P. Mills Jr.·Christian Voigt
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Abstract

Hidden matter that interacts only gravitationally would oscillate at characteristic frequencies when trapped inside of Earth. For small oscillations near the center of the Earth, these frequencies are around 300 $\mu$Hz. Additionally, signatures at higher harmonics would appear because of the non-uniformity of Earth's density. In this work, we use data from a global network of gravimeters of the International Geodynamics and Earth Tide Service (IGETS) to look for these hypothetical trapped objects. We find no evidence for such objects with masses on the order of 10$^{14}$ kg or greater with an oscillation amplitude of 0.1 $r_e$. It may be possible to improve the sensitivity of the search by several orders of magnitude via better understanding of the terrestrial noise sources and more advanced data analysis.

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Wenxiang Hu, Matthew Lawson, Dmitry Budker, Nataniel L. Figueroa, Derek F. Jackson Kimball, Allen P. Mills Jr., Christian Voigt. 2019-12-04. A network of precision gravimeters as a detector of matter with feeble nongravitational coupling. https://doi.org/10.1140/epjd%2Fe2020-10069-8

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