arXiv subjects

Dongok Kim

Publications and source records attributed to Dongok Kim.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

Search for a solar-bound axion halo using the Global Network of Optical Magnetometers for Exotic physics searches

We report on a search for a gravitationally bound solar axion halo using data from the Global Network of Optical Magnetometers for Exotic physics searches (GNOME), a worldwide array of magnetically shielded atomic magnetometers with sensitivity to exotic spin couplings. Motivated by recent theoretical work suggesting that self-interacting ultralight axions can be captured by the Sun's gravitational field and thermalize into the ground state, we develop a signal model for the pseudo-magnetic fields generated by axion-proton gradient couplings in such a halo. The analysis focuses on the fifth GNOME Science Run (69 days, 12 stations), employing a cross-correlation pipeline with time-shifted daily modulation templates to search for the global, direction-dependent, monochromatic signal expected from a solar axion halo. No statistically significant candidate signals are observed. We set 95% confidence-level upper limits on the amplitude of the axion-induced pseudo-magnetic field over the frequency range $\approx 0.05-20$ Hz, translating to constraints on the linear and quadratic axion-proton couplings for halo densities predicted by gravitational capture models and for the maximum overdensities allowed by planetary ephemerides. In the quadratic coupling case, our limits surpass existing astrophysical bounds by over two orders of magnitude across much of the accessible parameter space.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2023

Principle of Relativity and The Perturbative Quantum Gravity

We develop a purely quantum theory based on the novel principle of relativity, termed the quantum principle of relativity, instead of directly applying the diffeomorphism invariance. We demonstrate that the essence of the principle can be extended into the quantum realm, maintaining the identical structures of active and passive transformations. By employing this principle, we show that quantum gravitational effects are naturally realized within the perturbatively valid theory, with general relativity emerging in large distances. We derive graviton propagators and provide several examples grounded in this novel framework.

hep-th↗

arXiv2022

Analytical considerations for optimal axion haloscope design

The cavity haloscope provides a highly sensitive method to search for dark matter axions in the microwave regime. Experimental attempts to enhance the sensitivity have focused on improving major aspects, such as producing strong magnetic fields, increasing cavity quality factors, and achieving lowest possible noise temperatures. Minor details, however, also need to be carefully considered in realistic experimental designs. They are associated with non-uniform magnetic fields over the detection volume, noise propagation under attenuation and temperature gradients, and thermal disequilibrium in the cavity system. We take analytical approaches to these topics and offer optimal treatments for improved performance.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2021

Search for topological defect dark matter with a global network of optical magnetometers

Ultralight bosons such as axion-like particles are viable candidates for dark matter. They can form stable, macroscopic field configurations in the form of topological defects that could concentrate the dark matter density into many distinct, compact spatial regions that are small compared to the galaxy but much larger than the Earth. Here, we report the results of a search for transient signals from axion-like particle domain walls with the Global Network of Optical Magnetometers for Exotic physics searches (GNOME). We search the data, consisting of correlated measurements from optical atomic magnetometers located in laboratories all over the world, for patterns of signals propagating through the network consistent with domain walls. The analysis of data from a continuous month-long operation of the GNOME finds no statistically significant signals, thus placing experimental constraints on such dark matter scenarios.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2021

A machine learning algorithm for direct detection of axion-like particle domain walls

The Global Network of Optical Magnetometers for Exotic physics searches (GNOME) conducts an experimental search for certain forms of dark matter based on their spatiotemporal signatures imprinted on a global array of synchronized atomic magnetometers. The experiment described here looks for a gradient coupling of axion-like particles (ALPs) with proton spins as a signature of locally dense dark matter objects such as domain walls. In this work, stochastic optimization with machine learning is proposed for use in a search for ALP domain walls based on GNOME data. The validity and reliability of this method were verified using binary classification. The projected sensitivity of this new analysis method for ALP domain-wall crossing events is presented.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2021

Cosmic Axion Force

Nambu-Goldstone bosons, or axions, may be ubiquitous. Some of the axions may have small masses and thus serve as mediators of long-range forces. In this paper, we study the force mediated by an extremely light axion, $ϕ$, between the visible sector and the dark sector, where dark matter lives. Since nature does not preserve the CP symmetry, the coupling between dark matter and $ϕ$ is generically CP-violating. In this case, the induced force is extremely long-range and behaves as an effective magnetic field. If the force acts on electrons or nucleons, the spins of them on Earth precess around a fixed direction towards the galactic center. This provides an experimental opportunity for $ϕ$ with mass, $m_ϕ$, and decay constant, $f_ϕ$, satisfying $m_ϕ\lesssim 10^{-25}\,$ eV, $f_ϕ\lesssim 10^{14}\,$GeV if the daily modulation of the effective magnetic field signals in magnetometers is measured by using the coherent averaging method. The effective magnetic field induced by an axionic compact object, such as an axion domain wall, is also discussed.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2021

Compact ultracold neutron source concept for low energy accelerator-driven neutron sources

The concept of a small-scale, pulsed-proton accelerator based compact ultracold neutron (UCN) source is presented. The essential idea of the compact UCN source is to enclose a volume of superfluid $^{4}\mathrm{He}$ converter with a supercold moderator in the vicinity of a low-radiation neutron production target from (p, n) reactions. The supercold moderator should possess an ability to produce cold neutron flux with a peak brightness near the single-phonon excitation band of the superfluid $^{4}\mathrm{He}$ converter, thereby augmenting the UCN production in the compact UCN source even with very low intensity of neutron brightness. The performance of the compact UCN source is studied in terms of the UCN production and thermal load in the UCN converter. With the proposed concept of the compact UCN source, a UCN production rate of $P_{\mathrm{UCN}}=80\mathrm{UCN}/\mathrm{cc}/\mathrm{sec}$ in the UCN converter could be obtained while maintaining thermal load of on the superfluid $^{4}\mathrm{He}$ and its container at a level of $22\mathrm{mW}$. This study shows that the compact UCN source can produce a high enough density of UCN at a small-scale, low-energy, pulsed-proton beam facility with reduced efforts on the cooling and radiation protection.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2020

Sensitivity improvement in hidden photon detection using resonant cavities

Analogous to the light-shining-through-wall setup proposed for axion-like particle searches, a pair of resonant cavities have been considered to search for an extra U(1) massive gauge boson, called a hidden photon, which mediates the interactions in the hidden sector. We propose a new cavity configuration, consisting of a cylindrical emitter surrounded by a hollow cylindrical detector to remarkably improve experimental sensitivity to hidden photon signals in the $μ$eV mass range. An extensive study was conducted to find the optimal cavity geometry and resonant mode, which yields the best performance. In addition, a feasible application of superconducting RF technology was explored. We found the integration of these potential improvements will enhance the sensitivity to the effective kinetic mixing parameter between the hidden photon and the Standard Model photon by multiple orders of magnitude.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2020

Source mass characterization in the ARIADNE axion experiment

The Axion Resonant InterAction Detection Experiment (ARIADNE) is a collaborative effort to search for the QCD axion using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), where the axion acts as a mediator of spin-dependent forces between an unpolarized tungsten source mass and a sample of polarized helium-3 gas. Since the experiment involves precision measurement of a small magnetization, it relies on limiting ordinary magnetic noise with superconducting magnetic shielding. In addition to the shielding, proper characterization of the noise level from other sources is crucial. We investigate one such noise source in detail: the magnetic noise due to impurities and Johnson noise in the tungsten source mass.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2020

Revisiting the detection rate for axion haloscopes

The cavity haloscope has been employed to detect microwave photons resonantly converted from invisible cosmic axions under a strong magnetic field. In this scheme, the axion-photon conversion power has been formulated to be valid for certain conditions, either $Q_{cavity}\ll Q_{\rm axion}$ or $Q_{cavity} \gg Q_{axion}$. This remedy, however, fails when these two quantities are comparable to each other. Furthermore, the noise power flow has been treated independently of the impedance mismatch of the system, which could give rise to misleading estimates of the experimental sensitivity. We revisit the analytical approaches to derive a general description of the signal and noise power. We also optimize the coupling strength of a receiver to yield the maximal sensitivity for axion search experiments.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2019

Analysis method for detecting topological defect dark matter with a global magnetometer network

The Global Network of Optical Magnetometers for Exotic physics searches (GNOME) is a network of time-synchronized, geographically separated, optically pumped atomic magnetometers that is being used to search for correlated transient signals heralding exotic physics. GNOME is sensitive to exotic couplings of atomic spins to certain classes of dark matter candidates, such as axions. This work presents a data analysis procedure to search for axion dark matter in the form of topological defects: specifically, walls separating domains of discrete degenerate vacua in the axion field. An axion domain wall crossing the Earth creates a distinctive signal pattern in the network that can be distinguished from random noise. The reliability of the analysis procedure and the sensitivity of the GNOME to domain-wall crossings is studied using simulated data.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2019

Effective Approximation of Electromagnetism for Axion Haloscope Searches

We applied an effective approximation into Maxwell's equations with an axion interaction for haloscope searches. A set of Maxwell's equations acquired from this approximation describes just the reacted fields generated by the anomalous interaction. Unlike other approaches, this set of Maxwell's equations inherently satisfies the boundary conditions for haloscope searches. The electromagnetic field solutions from the Maxwell's equations were evaluated for both cylindrical and toroidal cavity geometries including when the axion mass becomes ultra-light (sub-meV). A small but non-zero difference between the electric and magnetic stored energies appeared in both cases. The difference may come from an anomalous non-dissipating current induced by oscillating axions.

hep-ph↗