CAREER: Mechanical Sensors for Exploring the Dark Sector

在多个天文尺度上的观测表明，存在着称为暗物质的未知粒子，它构成了星系的大部分质量，以及一种称为暗能量的未知均匀场，它是宇宙加速膨胀的原因。正常物质与暗物质或能量的耦合通常表现为机械效应：位移，反冲或加速。精确监测机械运动可以让我们前所未有地获得这些微小的信号。这个CAREER提案探索了在经典或量子机制下操作的机械设备作为暗物质和暗能量传感器的可行性。这项工作将为今后利用精密测量系统开发天体物理信号探测器奠定基础。该计划涉及使用分析和计算技术来量化作为暗物质和暗能量传感器的机械设备开发中的各种噪声机制。特别是，将探索基于光纤的方法来开发宽带标量暗物质传感器，基于氦的光暗物质探测器和基于膜的暗能量屏蔽相互作用探测器。作为更广泛的理论工作的一部分，将探索超轻暗物质信号的光谱和有效检测窄带暗物质信号的方法。通过调查各种主力技术作为暗物质和暗能量传感器的潜力，拟议的计划将激励推动最先进的设备。通过帮助暗物质和正常物质之间的各种耦合的实验界限，拟议的计划还将刺激对暗物质和暗能量新模型的高能理论研究。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Observations across multiple astronomical scales point to the existence of unknown particles called dark matter, which constitutes the majority of the mass of galaxies, and an unknown uniform field known as dark energy that is responsible for the accelerated expansion of the universe. The coupling of normal matter with dark matter or energy often manifests itself as a mechanical effect: displacement, recoil kicks, or acceleration. Accurately monitoring mechanical motion could give us unprecedented access to these minuscule signals. This CAREER proposal explores the viability of mechanical devices operating in either the classical or quantum regime as sensors for dark matter and dark energy. This work will lay the groundwork for the development of future detectors of astrophysical signals using precision measurement systems. The proposed program involves using analytical and computational techniques for quantifying various noise mechanisms in the development of mechanical devices as sensors for dark matter and dark energy. In particular, a fiber-based approach to develop a broadband scalar dark matter sensor, a helium-based detector of light dark matter, and a membrane-based detector for screened interactions due to dark energy will be explored. As part of a broader theoretical effort, the spectrum of an ultralight dark matter signal and methods to enable efficient detection of a narrow band dark matter signal will be explored. By investigating the potential of various workhorse technologies as dark matter and dark energy sensors, the proposed program will inspire pushing state-of-the-art devices. By helping put experimental bounds on various couplings between the dark sector and normal matter, the proposed program will also stimulate high energy theory research into new models of dark matter and dark energy.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.