https://doi.org/10.1140/epjc/s10052-026-15578-3
Regular Article - Theoretical Physics
Detectability of axion-like dark matter for different time-delay interferometry combinations in space-based gravitational wave detectors
1
School of Fundamental Physics and Mathematical Sciences, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 310024, Hangzhou, China
2
National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, China
3
Center for Gravitational Wave Experiment, National Microgravity Laboratory, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100190, Beijing, China
4
Institute of Theoretical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100190, Beijing, China
5
Taiji Laboratory for Gravitational Wave Universe (Beijing/Hangzhou), University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China
a
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Received:
27
November
2025
Accepted:
14
March
2026
Published online:
6
April
2026
Abstract
In the space-based gravitational wave detections, the axion-like dark matter would alter the polarization state of the laser link between spacecrafts due to the birefringence effect. However, current designs of space-based laser interferometer are insensitive to variations in the polarization angle. Thus, the additional wave plates are employed to enable the response of the axion-induced birefringence effect. We calculate and compare the sensitivities of different space-based detectors, accounting for three time-delay interferometry combinations, including Monitor, Beacon, and Relay. We find that the Monitor and Beacon combinations have better sensitivity in the high-frequency range, and the optimal sensitivity reaches 
, while the Sagnac combination is superior in the low-frequency range. We also find that ASTROD-GW can cover the detection range of axion-like dark matter mass down to 
eV.
Yong-Yong Liu, Jing-Rui Zhang contributed equally to this work.
© The Author(s) 2026
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Funded by SCOAP3.
