MG14 - Talk detail

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The boson dark matter particles produced after Big Bang may form a Bose condensate and/or topological defects. In contrast to traditional dark matter searches, effects produced by interaction of an ordinary matter with this condensate and defects may be first power in the underlying interaction strength, which is extremely small, rather than the second power or higher (which appears in a traditional search for the dark matter). We discuss new effects and schemes for the direct detection of dark matter, including axions, axion-like pseudoscalar particles (ALPs) and scalar particles, as well as topological defects. Specific effects produced by the particle condensates include space-time variation of the fundamental constants (fine structure constant alpha, particle masses, etc) including both slow variation (on the cosmological scale) and fast oscillations. Topological defects may also produce transient and correlated observable effects. In addition to traditional methods to search for the variation (atomic clocks, quasar spectra, Big Bang Nucleosynthesis, etc) we discuss variations in phase shifts produced in laser/maser interferometers (such as LIGO, Virgo, GEO600 and TAMA300), changes in pulsar rotational frequencies (which may have been observed already in pulsar glitches), non-gravitational lensing of cosmic radiation and the time-delay of pulsar signals, as well as changes in the rate of Earth rotation. Other effects of dark matter include oscillating or transient atomic electric dipole moments, precession of electron and nuclear spins about the direction of Earth’s motion through an axion/ALP condensate (the axion wind effect), and axion-mediated spin-gravity couplings. The proposed detection methods offer sensitive probes into important, unconstrained regions of dark matter parameter spaces. References: [1] Y. V. Stadnik and V. V. Flambaum. Phys. Rev. D 89, 043522 (2014). [2] B. M. Roberts, Y. V. Stadnik, V. A. Dzuba, V. V. Flambaum, N. Leefer and D. Budker. Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 081601 (2014). [3] Y. V. Stadnik and V. V. Flambaum. Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 151301 (2014). [4] B. M. Roberts, Y. V. Stadnik, V. A. Dzuba, V. V. Flambaum, N. Leefer and D. Budker. Phys. Rev. D 90, 096005 (2014). [5] M. Pospelov, S. Pustelny, M. P. Ledbetter, D. F. Jackson Kimball, W. Gawlik, and D. Budker. Phys. Rev. Lett. 110, 021803 (2013). [6] A. Derevianko and M. Pospelov. Nature Physics 10, 933 (2014). [7] Y. V. Stadnik and V. V. Flambaum. Phys. Rev. Lett. 114, 161301 (2014). [8] Y. V. Stadnik and V. V. Flambaum. arxiv: 1503.08540 [9] Y. V. Stadnik and V. V. Flambaum. arxiv: 1504.01798

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Accepted

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Abstract

We propose new schemes for the direct detection of dark matter, including axions, axion-like pseudoscalar particles (ALPs) and ultra-light scalar particles, which are part of a galactic condensate, as well as topological defects. Specific effects to search for include: oscillating atomic electric dipole moments induced by an axion/ALP condensate, precession of electron and nuclear spins about the direction of Earth’s motion through an axion/ALP condensate (the axion wind effect), axion-mediated spin-gravity couplings, and oscillating variations in phase shifts produced in laser/maser interferometers (such as LIGO, Virgo, GEO600 and TAMA300) by a scalar particle condensate. In contrast to traditional dark matter searches, these effects are all first power in the underlying interaction strength, which is extremely small, rather than the second power or higher. Topological defects (which may also be a part of dark matter) may produce changes in pulsar rotational frequencies (which may have been observed already in pulsar glitches), non-gravitational lensing of cosmic radiation and the time-delay of pulsar signals. Topological defects may also produce transient and correlated observable effects in a global network of atomic clocks, magnetometers (spin precession effects and transient electric dipole moments) and laser/maser interferometers, as well as alter the rate of Earth rotation. These proposed detection methods offer sensitive probes into important, unconstrained regions of dark matter parameter spaces. An interpretation of the observed annual modulation in existing DAMA data in terms of ionising scattering of dark matter particles off electrons is presented, along with the results of relativistic atomic Hartree-Fock calculations for the species Na, I and Xe. We also propose a new model of cosmological evolution of the fundamental constants of Nature, in which both ‘slow’ and oscillating variations of the fundamental constants can be produced by scalar and pseudoscalar (axion) dark matter. The most stringent constraints on the physical parameters of our model come from measurements of the neutron-proton mass difference at the time of the weak interaction freeze-out prior to Big Bang nucleosynthesis and atomic dysprosium spectroscopy measurements. New atomic clock and laser interferometer experiments that search for oscillating variation of the fundamental constants offer the possibility of searching for dark matter and exploration of physical parameter space of our dark matter model. References: [1] Y. V. Stadnik and V. V. Flambaum. Phys. Rev. D 89, 043522 (2014). [2] B. M. Roberts, Y. V. Stadnik, V. A. Dzuba, V. V. Flambaum, N. Leefer and D. Budker. Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 081601 (2014). [3] Y. V. Stadnik and V. V. Flambaum. Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 151301 (2014). [4] B. M. Roberts, Y. V. Stadnik, V. A. Dzuba, V. V. Flambaum, N. Leefer and D. Budker. Phys. Rev. D 90, 096005 (2014). Editors’ Suggestion. [5] M. Pospelov, S. Pustelny, M. P. Ledbetter, D. F. Jackson Kimball, W. Gawlik, and D. Budker. Phys. Rev. Lett. 110, 021803 (2013). [6] A. Derevianko and M. Pospelov. Nature Physics 10, 933 (2014). [7] Y. V. Stadnik and V. V. Flambaum. Phys. Rev. Lett. 114, 161301 (2015). [8] Y. V. Stadnik and V. V. Flambaum. arXiv:1503.08540. [9] Y. V. Stadnik and V. V. Flambaum. arXiv:1504.01798. [10] Y. V. Stadnik, V. V. Flambaum, S. Klimenko and G. Mitselmakher. To be published. [11] B. M. Roberts, Y. V. Stadnik, V. A. Dzuba, V. V. Flambaum, G. F. Gribakin, M. Pospelov and I. Yavin. To be published.

Pdf file

Session

Accepted

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Time

Talk

Title

Abstract

Any slight variations in the fundamental constants of Nature, which may be induced by dark matter or some yet-to-be-discovered cosmic field, would characteristically alter the phase of a light beam inside an interferometer, which can be measured extremely precisely. Interferometry may be applied to searches for the linear-in-time drift of the fundamental constants, detection of topological defect dark matter through transient-in-time effects and for a relic, coherently oscillating condensate, which consists of scalar dark matter fields, through oscillating effects. Our proposed experiments require either minor or no modifications of existing apparatus, and offer extensive reach into important and unconstrained spaces of physical parameters, as well as the possibility of independently corroborating astronomical observations of quasar absorption spectra, which hint at the existence of a spatial gradient in the value of the fine-structure constant. Our proposed experiments can also probe our new recently proposed model of cosmological evolution of the fundamental constants of Nature, in which both ‘slow’ and oscillating variations of the fundamental constants can be produced by scalar and pseudoscalar (axion) dark matter. References: [1] Y. V. Stadnik and V. V. Flambaum. Phys. Rev. Lett. 114, 161301 (2015). [2] Y. V. Stadnik, V. V. Flambaum, S. Klimenko, and G. Mitselmakher. To be published. [3] J. K. Webb, J. A. King, M. T. Murphy, V. V. Flambaum, R. F. Carswell, and M. B. Bainbridge. Phys. Rev. Lett. 107, 191101 (2011). [4] J. A. King, J. K. Webb, M. T. Murphy, V. V. Flambaum, R. F. Carswell, M. B. Bainbridge, M. R. Wilczynska and F. E. Koch. MNRAS 422, 3370 (2012). [5] Y. V. Stadnik and V. V. Flambaum. arXiv:1503.08540. [6] Y. V. Stadnik and V. V. Flambaum. arXiv:1504.01798.

Pdf file

Session

Accepted

Order

Time

Talk

Title

Abstract

Any slight variations in the fundamental constants of Nature, which may be induced by dark matter or some yet-to-be-discovered cosmic field, would characteristically alter the phase of a light beam inside a gravitational wave interferometer (such as LIGO, Virgo, GEO600, TAMA300 or a smaller-scale interferometer), which can be measured extremely precisely. Laser/maser interferometry may be applied to searches for the linear-in-time drift of the fundamental constants, detection of topological defect dark matter through transient-in-time effects and for a relic, coherently oscillating condensate, which consists of scalar dark matter fields, through oscillating effects. Our proposed experiments require either minor or no modifications of existing apparatus, and offer extensive reach into important and unconstrained spaces of physical parameters, as well as the possibility of independently corroborating astronomical observations of quasar absorption spectra, which hint at the existence of a spatial gradient in the value of the fine-structure constant. Our proposed experiments can also probe our new recently proposed model of cosmological evolution of the fundamental constants of Nature, in which both ‘slow’ and oscillating variations of the fundamental constants can be produced by scalar and pseudoscalar (axion) dark matter. References: [1] Y. V. Stadnik and V. V. Flambaum. Phys. Rev. Lett. 114, 161301 (2015). [2] Y. V. Stadnik, V. V. Flambaum, S. Klimenko, and G. Mitselmakher. To be published. [3] J. K. Webb, J. A. King, M. T. Murphy, V. V. Flambaum, R. F. Carswell, and M. B. Bainbridge. Phys. Rev. Lett. 107, 191101 (2011). [4] J. A. King, J. K. Webb, M. T. Murphy, V. V. Flambaum, R. F. Carswell, M. B. Bainbridge, M. R. Wilczynska and F. E. Koch. MNRAS 422, 3370 (2012). [5] Y. V. Stadnik and V. V. Flambaum. arXiv:1503.08540. [6] Y. V. Stadnik and V. V. Flambaum. arXiv:1504.01798.

Pdf file

Session

Accepted

Order

Time

Talk

Title

Abstract

Any slight variations in the fundamental constants of Nature, which may be induced by dark matter or some yet-to-be-discovered cosmic field, would characteristically alter the phase of a light beam inside a gravitational wave interferometer detector (such as LIGO, Virgo, GEO600, TAMA300 or a smaller-scale detector), which can be measured extremely precisely. Laser interferometry may be applied to searches for the linear-in-time drift of the fundamental constants, detection of topological defect dark matter through transient-in-time effects and for a relic, coherently oscillating condensate, which consists of scalar dark matter fields, through oscillating effects. Our proposed experiments require either minor or no modifications of existing apparatus, and offer extensive reach into important and unconstrained spaces of physical parameters, as well as the possibility of independently corroborating astronomical observations of quasar absorption spectra, which hint at the existence of a spatial gradient in the value of the fine-structure constant. Our proposed experiments can also probe our new recently proposed model of cosmological evolution of the fundamental constants of Nature, in which both ‘slow’ and oscillating variations of the fundamental constants can be produced by scalar and pseudoscalar (axion) dark matter. References: [1] Y. V. Stadnik and V. V. Flambaum. Phys. Rev. Lett. 114, 161301 (2015). [2] Y. V. Stadnik, V. V. Flambaum, S. Klimenko, and G. Mitselmakher. To be published. [3] J. K. Webb, J. A. King, M. T. Murphy, V. V. Flambaum, R. F. Carswell, and M. B. Bainbridge. Phys. Rev. Lett. 107, 191101 (2011). [4] J. A. King, J. K. Webb, M. T. Murphy, V. V. Flambaum, R. F. Carswell, M. B. Bainbridge, M. R. Wilczynska and F. E. Koch. MNRAS 422, 3370 (2012). [5] Y. V. Stadnik and V. V. Flambaum. arXiv:1503.08540. [6] Y. V. Stadnik and V. V. Flambaum. arXiv:1504.01798.

Pdf file

Session

Accepted

Order

Time

Talk

Title

Abstract

Topological defects are stable, extended-in-space configurations of scalar, pseudoscalar or vector fields, which can have a variety of dimensionalities (0D: monopole, 1D: string, 2D: domain wall), and may contribute to the dark matter content of the universe. Networks of topological defects are believed to have assisted in observed cosmological structure formation. Traditionally, these objects have been sought for in astrophysical systems via their gravitational effects. We propose to search for defects in astrophysical systems via non-gravitational effects. Double neutron stars, especially binary pulsars, are ideal candidates for such searches. When a topological defect passes through a pulsar, the frequency of pulsar rotation, as well as its mass, radius and possibly internal structure may be altered. This may generate a pulsar ‘quake’ or glitch for a sufficiently small and/or rapidly travelling defect. Defects may offer a possible explanation for conventional pulsar glitches, but if they do not cause traditional glitches in pulsars, then defects may still induce smaller glitch-like events (which last several seconds or minutes). In the case of a binary pulsar system, similar effects are expected to be observed in both pulsars, separated by a relatively small time interval. Defects may also function as a cosmic dielectric material with a distinctive frequency-dependent index of refraction, giving rise to the time delay of binary pulsar signals and frequency-dependent lensing (rainbow effect) when a defect passes through the line-of-sight connecting a binary pulsar and Earth. Our proposed detection methods are complementary to recently proposed laboratory detection schemes for topological defects. References: [1] Y. V. Stadnik and V. V. Flambaum. Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 151301 (2014). [2] M. Pospelov, S. Pustelny, M. P. Ledbetter, D. F. Jackson Kimball, W. Gawlik, and D. Budker. Phys. Rev. Lett. 110, 021803 (2013). [3] A. Derevianko and M. Pospelov. Nature Physics 10, 933 (2014). [4] Y. V. Stadnik and V. V. Flambaum. Phys. Rev. Lett. 114, 161301 (2015).

Pdf file

Session

Accepted

Order

Time

Talk

Title

Abstract

We propose new schemes for the detection of topological defect dark matter (which are stable, extended-in-space dark matter objects that include monopoles, cosmic strings and domain walls). Networks of topological defects are believed to have assisted in observed cosmological structure formation. The dark matter field inside a topological defect may interact with the photon field, altering the photon dispersion relation inside a defect and making a defect function as a cosmic dielectric material with a distinctive frequency-dependent index of refraction. One can search for the time delay of a periodic extraterrestrial light or radio signal, and the dispersion of cosmic radiation (Rainbow effect) caused by topological defects. Such frequency-dependent, non-gravitational lensing is distinct from gravitational lensing, which is a frequency-independent effect. Existing pulsar timing data in association with the pulsar glitch phenomenon may already contain hints of topological defects through other non-gravitational effects associated with the interaction of the dark matter field(s) inside a topological defect with the neutron and other fermions. Our proposed detection methods are complementary to recently proposed laboratory detection schemes for topological defects. References: [1] Y. V. Stadnik and V. V. Flambaum. Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 151301 (2014). [2] M. Pospelov, S. Pustelny, M. P. Ledbetter, D. F. Jackson Kimball, W. Gawlik, and D. Budker. Phys. Rev. Lett. 110, 021803 (2013). [3] A. Derevianko and M. Pospelov. Nature Physics 10, 933 (2014). [4] Y. V. Stadnik and V. V. Flambaum. Phys. Rev. Lett. 114, 161301 (2015).

Pdf file

Session

Accepted

Order

Time

Talk

Title

Abstract

Topological defects are stable, extended-in-space configurations of scalar, pseudoscalar or vector fields, which can have a variety of dimensionalities (0D: monopole, 1D: string, 2D: domain wall), and may contribute to the dark matter content of the universe. Networks of topological defects are believed to have assisted in observed cosmological structure formation. Traditionally, these objects have been sought for in astrophysical systems via their gravitational effects. We propose to search for defects in astrophysical systems via non-gravitational effects. Pulsars are ideal candidates for such searches. When a topological defect passes through a pulsar, the frequency of pulsar rotation, as well as its mass, radius and possibly internal structure may be altered. This may generate a pulsar ‘quake’ or glitch for a sufficiently small and/or rapidly travelling defect. Defects may offer a possible explanation for conventional pulsar glitches, but if they do not cause traditional glitches in pulsars, then defects may still induce smaller glitch-like events (which last several seconds or minutes). Defects may also function as a cosmic dielectric material with a distinctive frequency-dependent index of refraction, giving rise to the time delay of pulsar signals and frequency-dependent lensing (rainbow effect) when a defect passes through the line-of-sight connecting a pulsar and Earth. Our proposed detection methods are complementary to recently proposed laboratory detection schemes for topological defects. References: [1] Y. V. Stadnik and V. V. Flambaum. Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 151301 (2014). [2] M. Pospelov, S. Pustelny, M. P. Ledbetter, D. F. Jackson Kimball, W. Gawlik, and D. Budker. Phys. Rev. Lett. 110, 021803 (2013). [3] A. Derevianko and M. Pospelov. Nature Physics 10, 933 (2014). [4] Y. V. Stadnik and V. V. Flambaum. Phys. Rev. Lett. 114, 161301 (2015).

Pdf file

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