Progress toward an ultralight dark matter search with ultracold SrOH molecules

POSTER

Abstract

Dark matter comprises most of the mass in the universe, but its microscopic properties remain unknown. One potential candidate for dark matter is ultralight dark matter (UDM), which can interact with Standard Model particles and induce oscillations in fundamental constants [1]. A near-degeneracy of different vibrational states of SrOH (characterized by stretching of the Sr-O bond and bending from a linear geometry, respectively) enables sensitive microwave probes of UDM oscillations [2]. We have recently demonstrated a magneto-optical trap (MOT) of SrOH [3], and present ongoing work to efficiently transfer the molecules into an optical dipole trap (ODT). Additionally, we discuss characterization of the UDM-sensitive “science states” using the MOT and ODT.

[1]: A. Arvanitaki, J. Huang, and K. Van Tilburg, Phys. Rev. D 91, 015015 (2015)

[2]: I. Kozyryev, Z. Lasner, and J. M. Doyle, Phys. Rev. A 103, 043313 (2021).

[3]: Z. Lasner et al., arXiv:2409.04948 (2024).

Publication: "Magneto-optical trapping of a heavy polyatomic molecule for precision measurement," Z. Lasner et al., arXiv:2409.04948 (2024)

Presenters

  • Mingda Li

    Harvard University

Authors

  • Mingda Li

    Harvard University

  • Zack Lasner

    Harvard University

  • Alexander Frenett

    Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, Michigan State University, Facility for Rare Isotope Beams

  • Hiromitsu Sawaoka

    Harvard University

  • Loic G Anderegg

    University of Southern California

  • Benjamin L Augenbraun

    Williams College

  • Hana Lampson

    Harvard University

  • Annika Lunstad

    Harvard University

  • Abdullah Nasir

    Harvard University

  • Jack Mango

    Harvard University

  • Rachel Fields

    Harvard University

  • Tasuku Ono

    Harvard University

  • Takashi Sakamoto

    University of Tokyo

  • John M Doyle

    Harvard University