Axion Search using Sapphire Detectors at TAMU TRIGA Reactor and Plans for Operation at HFIR reactor

The elusive axion, a hypothetical particle proposed as a candidate for Dark Matter, continues to evade direct detection, prompting the development of more sensitive and innovative detection methods. At the Texas A&M University (TAMU) TRIGA Reactor, we have embarked on a pioneering axion search using a novel detection apparatus consisting of three cylindrical sapphire crystals arranged vertically in a tower configuration. This design aims to optimize the interaction volume while maintaining a compact form factor.

Critically, the upper surfaces of these sapphire crystals are equipped with Transition Edge Sensors (TES), to detect any conversion of initial interaction into phonons. This setup has been tailored to detect axions by exploiting their expected conversion into phonons. Initial experiments at the TAMU TRIGA Reactor have demonstrated the capability of this setup to operate under reactor-specific conditions, providing valuable data on background and potential signal characteristics.

Building on the success at TAMU, plans are underway to deploy this detection system at the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The HFIR environment will provide a much more sensitive search for axions with the 100 times higher reactor flux. The upcoming experiments aim to not only validate the findings from TAMU but also to refine the detection sensitivity and methodology based on the contrasting operational conditions at HFIR.