WIDG Seminar: Benjamin Siegel, Yale, “Searching for Dark Matter via a Levitated Microsphere Array”

Optically levitated masses have many applications in precision measurement, including tests of the neutrality of matter, millicharged particle searches, and dark matter detection. For such searches in which sensitivities scale with the mass or number of neutrons in the test particle, using larger, heavier spheres extends their reach. To capitalize upon this, we have used spheres with diameters on the micrometer scale in past experiments. Further improvements in sensitivity to rare events and rejection of correlated noise sources can be achieved using an array of levitated microspheres. We present a system using an acousto-optic deflector to levitate a two dimensional array of microspheres in vacuum. This array is composed of time-shared traps with independent control of each sphere’s position and feedback. I discuss the methods for creating such an array and progress toward using it to search for dark matter.
Host: Jiaxiang Wang (jiaxiang.wang@yale.edu)