aiqbench analysis
This paper proposes using electro-optic transduction to convert microwave photons from axion haloscopes into optical signals, enabling high-speed photon-counting detection that could drastically improve scan rates for dark matter searches. By optimizing cavity coupling and thermal management, the scheme aims to overcome the bandwidth limitations of traditional homodyne detection in resonant cavities. While rooted in fundamental physics, the core innovation relies on advanced quantum transduction techniques essential for next-generation quantum sensing architectures.
Photon-Counting Readout via Electro-Optic Microwave-to-Optical Transduction for Axion Haloscopes
arXiv:2611.05444v1 Announce Type: cross Abstract: Axion dark matter searches require highly sensitive detection schemes with high scan rate to efficiently explore the parameter space. Building upon the conventional Sikivie haloscope, where axions convert into microwave photons inside a magnetic-field-immersed resonant cavity, we present a photon-counting scheme based on an electro-optic microwave-to-optical transducer. Through a comprehensive theoretical model under realistic experimental constraints, we find that the optimal operating regime employs an overcoupled microwave cavity, trading peak transduction efficiency for reduced transducer noise. Furthermore, combining parameters already demonstrated in existing devices, in a device with optimized extrinsic coupling rates, would yield a scan-rate enhancement of 5-10 relative to quantum-limited homodyne detection. Improvements in quality factors, coupling rates, and thermal management push this enhancement beyond 50. While our quantitative model is benchmarked at 9 GHz, the scheme adapts well to haloscopes across the 5-12 GHz range, where shrinking cavity volumes severely degrade the achievable scan rate. These results demonstrate the potential of electro-optical photon detection as a high-speed detection technique for axion dark matter searches.
Abstract:Axion dark matter searches require highly sensitive detection schemes with high scan rate to efficiently explore the parameter space. Building upon the conventional Sikivie haloscope, where axions convert into microwave photons inside a magnetic-field-immersed resonant cavity, we present a photon-counting scheme based on an electro-optic microwave-to-optical transducer. Through a comprehensive theoretical model under realistic experimental constraints, we find that the optimal operating regime employs an overcoupled microwave cavity, trading peak transduction efficiency for reduced transducer noise. Furthermore, combining parameters already demonstrated in existing devices, in a device with optimized extrinsic coupling rates, would yield a scan-rate enhancement of 5-10 relative to quantum-limited homodyne detection. Improvements in quality factors, coupling rates, and thermal management push this enhancement beyond 50. While our quantitative model is benchmarked at 9 GHz, the scheme adapts well to haloscopes across the 5-12 GHz range, where shrinking cavity volumes severely degrade the achievable scan rate. These results demonstrate the potential of electro-optical photon detection as a high-speed detection technique for axion dark matter searches.
arXiv:2611.05444 [hep-ph]
(or arXiv:2611.05444v1 [hep-ph] for this version)
https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2611.05444 Focus to learn more arXiv-issued DOI via DataCite (pending registration)
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Full text under the publisher's open licence · 258 words