Search for exotic low-mass fields with a global magnetometer network

The Global Network of Optical Magnetometers for Exotic physics searches (GNOME) is a network of geographically separated, time-synchronized, optically pumped atomic magnetometers searching for correlated transient signals that might herald exotic physics [1]. Quantum sensor networks provide an additional tool in multi-messenger astronomy to probe high-energy astrophysical events for signals by beyond-standard-model theories. We present a method to use the GNOME to search for coherent, intense bursts of exotic low-mass fields (ELFs) that could be produced alongside gravitational waves (GWs) [2] and fast radio bursts. Candidate events are first identified with a model agnostic excess power search [3] and then subjected to a generalized likelihood test. We construct Feldman-Cousins confidence belts [4] to constrain detectable ELF signal amplitudes and couplings to standard-model fermions. We report results for the GW event S200311bg [5] detected by LIGO and Virgo.



[1] S. Afach, D. Budker et al., Physics of the Dark Universe, 22, 162-180 (2018)



[2] Dailey, C., Bradley, C., Jackson Kimball, D.F. et al., Nat Astron 5, 150–158 (2021)



[3] W. G. Anderson, P. R. Brady, et al., Phys. Rev. D 63, 042003 (2001)



[4] G. J. Feldman and R. D. Cousins Phys., Rev. D 57, 3873 (1998)



[5] LIGO Scientific Collaboration and Virgo Collaboration, GCN 27358 (2020)