Constraining rapidly oscillating scalar dark matter using dynamic decoupling

We propose and experimentally demonstrate a method for detection of a light scalar dark matter (DM) field through probing temporal oscillations of fundamental constants in an atomic optical transition. Utilizing the quantum information notion of dynamic decoupling (DD) in a tabletop setting, we are able to obtain model-independent bounds on variations of alpha and m(e) at frequencies up to the MHz scale. We interpret our results to constrain the parameter space of light scalar DM field models. We consider the generic case, where the couplings of the DM field to the photon and the electron are independent, as well as the case of a relaxion DM model, including the scenario of a DM boson star centered around Earth. Given the particular nature of DD, allowing one to directly observe the oscillatory behavior of coherent DM and considering future experimental improvements, we conclude that our proposed method could be complimentary to, and possibly competitive with, gravitational probes of light scalar DM.

Automated summary

The study proposes and experimentally demonstrates a method for detecting a light scalar dark matter field by probing temporal oscillations of fundamental constants in an atomic optical transition. Utilizing dynamic decoupling in a tabletop setting, model-independent bounds on frequency variations of α and m(e) up to the MHz scale are obtained, constraining the parameter space of light scalar DM field models. The study suggests that the proposed method could complement or even compete with gravitational probes of light scalar DM, given the ability to directly observe the oscillatory behavior of coherent DM and potential future experimental improvements.