Speaker
Description
Beyond the Standard Model, scalar field dark matter may induce distinct variations in fundamental constants, be it through temporal oscillations or transient changes. With a novel approach, the QSNET project aims to find evidence of new physics by linking observed variations in atomic transition frequencies in a network of ultraprecise atomic, highly charged ion (HCI) as well as molecular clocks to variations in both the fine-structure constant and the electron-to-proton mass ratio. Comparing two from up to seven clocks located at four English institutions in a fibre-linked networked approach, allows for the measurement of frequency ratios with unprecedented precision. Here we give a short overview of the physical background of QSNET, the proposed configuration and coupling of the different clocks, as well as their anticipated performance and scientific goals. Implementing the Lomb-Scargle method allows for a preliminary assessment of QSNET's potential prospects and limitations in achieving high detection confidence for low-mass scalar dark matter.
| Category | Particle / Astroparticle / Cosmology (Experiment) |
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