Advancing Theory and Technology for the detectiOn of dark Matter

Ziel

Particle physics has amassed a century of evidence pointing to the existence of massive, non-luminous Dark Matter (DM) distinct from the familiar particles of the Standard Model. We have only observed DM through its gravitational effects, leaving its microscopic properties largely unknown. Various viable models for the identity of DM particles exist and predict different properties. These uncertainties require a variety of detection strategies, relying on different technologies, each designed for a particular DM candidate. An understanding of the full implications of a specific model, as well as the broad set of possible technologies that may detect it are therefore both crucial if we wish to optimize our search for DM. This proposal utilizes my unique combined expertise in metrology and DM phenomenology, pushing forward new methods to search for DM of Ultralight masses. The rising interest in ultralight DM across the field of DM research makes this proposal extremely timely to the broader particle physics community. This work is divided into three main parts, to be pursued simultaneously. I plan to implement a novel dual-magnetometer I invented, that is able to distinguish magnetic noise from DM-induced signal at a broad set of frequencies. I also plan to continue and advance the SNIPE-Hunt collaboration, which utilizes magnetometers across the earth to search for the coherent effect of DM, both through performing new searches, and proposing future prospects. Finally, I plan to continue investigating subtle effects of DM, such as the interplay of its different interactions, as well as find new experiments that would be able to probe previously inaccessible DM parameter space using quantum magnetometry techniques.