1995 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary
Search for dark matter axions with Rydberg atoms
| Project/Area Number |
05402005
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| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for General Scientific Research (A)
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| Allocation Type | Single-year Grants |
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| Research Field |
素粒子・核・宇宙線
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| Research Institution | KYOTO UNIVERSITY |
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Principal Investigator |
MATSUKI Seishi Kyoto University, Inst.Chem.Res., Assoc.Professor, 化学研究所, 助教授 (50037941)
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| Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) |
MASAIKE Akira Kyoto Univ., Phys.Dep., Prof., 大学院・理学研究科, 教授 (40022587)
YAMAMOTO Katsuji Kyoto Univ., Nucl.Eng.Dep.Assoc.Prof., 大学院・工学研究科, 助教授 (90191395)
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| Project Period (FY) |
1993 – 1995
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| Keywords | Dark Matter / axion / Rydberg atoms |
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| Research Abstract |
Search for dark matter particles in the Universe is one of the most important issue related to particle physics and astrophysics. Axions, invoked to solve the so called "strong CP problem" in the QCD theory, is a leading candidate for the dark matter particles.
We have proposed to search for dark matter axions with Rydberg atoms in resonant cavities permeated by strong magnetic field. In this scheme, microwave photons produced by conversion of axions via the Primakoff process are detected by Rydberg atoms passed through a cavity in a state of beam. This scheme is considered now to be the most efficient way to search for axions.
We developed a quantum theoretical treatment of the interactions of axions with Rydberg atoms and photons in resonant cavities by taking into account the finite temperature and the finite damping time of the cavities. Following the theoretical analyzes, we developed an experimental system to search for axions where the cavities are cooled down to 10mK with a dilution refrigerator and the axions are detected with Rydberg atoms produced by three-step laser excitations. The apparatus was successfully tested and now ready to start the search for axions with mass around 10mueV.
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