Towards Quantum-Enhanced Optomechanical Systems for Dark Matter Detection

Numerous astronomical and cosmological arguments suggest that the mass density of the Universe is 85% dark matter; however, this illusive material has evaded decades of detection strategies. Recent developments in the theory of dark matter detection introduce the possibility of sensing dark matter with large arrays of accelerometers. For this type of system to be possible in the future, sensors must be developed to perform higher accuracy measurements than those achievable using classical techniques. As a result, we are developing quantum-enhanced sensing methods using squeezed states of light to improve the performance of optomechanical, specifically MEMS, sensors beyond classical limits. To this end, we have developed methods to measure a known impulse or acceleration applied to these devices. Further, we have shown that these measurements can be improved with quantum sensing techniques. With these developments, we are working towards the implementation of sensors that show distinct advantages over other dark matter detection strategies to take "one giant leap" toward the implementation of dark matter detection arrays.