Dark Photon Polarimetry

Abstract

We propose detecting dark photons (DP), a major candidate for wave dark matter, through polarimetry. The DP can modify Maxwell's equations due to its kinetic mixing with regular photons, inducing an oscillating component in the electromagnetic field. This may leave an imprint on polarimetric light signals, such as Faraday rotation, characterized by a distinctive wave pattern in spacetime. We then apply this method to investigate ultralight DPs produced through the superradiance of supermassive black holes for demonstration. Using the polarimetric measurements of radiation from the M87$^\ast$ and Sgr A$^\ast$ at the Event Horizon Telescope, we show that novel limits on the photon-DP mixing parameter can be set for the rarely-explored DP mass ranges: explicitly $10^{-22} - 10^{-20}\,$eV with the best reach of $\sim 10^{-8}$ achieved at $\sim 10^{-20}$eV, and $10^{-19} - 10^{-17}\,$eV with the best reach of $\sim 10^{-11}$ achieved at $\sim 10^{-17}$eV. Given the universality of its underlying physics, we expect DP polarimetry to be broadly applicable for DP detection in laboratory experiments and astronomical observations.