Search for dark matter axion with Rydberg atoms

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Axion is an unkown particle and a candidate of the dark matter in the universe. We have constructed a high sensitivity micro-wave detector with use of Rydberg atoms for the detection of a dark matter axion. It consists of a superconducting magnet, a dilution refrigerator and high-precision laser system to detect a micro-wave photon converted from an axion. We have measured energy levels of Rydberg states for K atoms, and made the whole detector system ready for the search of dark matter axion. We have also found a new method to greatly improve S/N of axion search which utilize a cooled and bunched beam of Rydberg atoms.