https://doi.org/10.1140/epjc/s10052-022-11152-9
Regular Article - Experimental Physics
Axion-like dark matter detection using Stern–Gerlach interferometer
1
Department of Physics, Isfahan University of Technology, 84156-83111, Isfahan, Iran
2
ICRANet-Isfahan, Isfahan University of Technology, 84156-83111, Isfahan, Iran
Received:
2
October
2022
Accepted:
21
December
2022
Published online:
10
January
2023
Quantum sensors based on the superposition of neutral atoms are promising for sensing the nature of dark matter (DM). In this study, we utilize the Stern–Gerlach (SG) interferometer configuration to seek a novel method for the detection of axion-like particles (ALPs). Using an SG interferometer, we create a spatial quantum superposition of neutral atoms such as 
He and 
Rb. It is shown that the interaction of ALPs with this superposition induces a relative phase between superposed quantum components. We use the quantum Boltzmann equation (QBE) to introduce a first-principles analysis that describes the temporal evolution of the sensing system. The QBE approach employs quantum field theory (QFT) to highlight the role of the quantum nature of the interactions with the quantum systems. The resulting exclusion area demonstrates that our scheme allows for the exclusion of a range of ALP mass in the range 
and ALP-atom coupling constant in the range 
.
© The Author(s) 2023
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