We propose in this White Paper a concept for a space experiment using cold atoms to search for ultra-light dark matter, and to detect gravitational waves in the frequency range between the most sensitive ranges of LISA and the terrestrial LIGO/Virgo/KAGRA/INDIGO experiments. This interdisciplinary experiment, called Atomic Experiment for Dark Matter and Gravity Exploration (AEDGE), will also complement other planned searches for dark matter, and exploit synergies with other gravitational wave detectors. We give examples of the extended range of sensitivity to ultra-light dark matter offered by AEDGE, and how its gravitational-wave measurements could explore the assembly of super-massive black holes, first-order phase transitions in the early universe and cosmic strings. AEDGE will be based upon technologies now being developed for terrestrial experiments using cold atoms, and will benefit from the space experience obtained with, e.g., LISA and cold atom experiments in microgravity.KCL-PH-TH/2019-65, CERN-TH-2019-126
We present a novel optical beam steering technique (OBST) for fiber to free-space to fiber coupling schemes on optical breadboards, which uses glass wedge pairs and plates to correct for angular and translational misalignments respectively. This technique finds application in proposed missions for atom quantum experiments in space, e.g. where laser beams are used to cool and manipulate atomic clouds. The key advantage compared to the conventional beam steering is that OBST permits extremely fine adjustments whilst being far less sensitive to alignment errors and mechanical drifts. Beam steering resolutions of better than 5 μrad and 2 μm are achieved, resulting in a resolution in coupling efficiency (CE) of 0.1%. The inclusion of OBST on an optical breadboard reduces the requirements on the pointing and position precision adjustment of the fiber couplers, leading to a much-simplified design. The simpler construction of the couplers combined with the reduced sensitivity to drifts increases the stability-reliability of the breadboard and reduces the production duration and cost. We demonstrate CE of up to 90%, with a stability of 0.2% in a stable temperature environment and 2% over a temperature range from 10-40 degrees Celsius. We do not observe any change in the performance after large temperature changes.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.