Comagnetometer probes of dark matter and new physics

Abstract

Modern comagnetometry is—in absolute energy units—the most sensitive experimental technique for measuring the energy splitting between quantum states, with certain implementations measuring the nuclear spin-up/spin-down splitting at the 10−26 eV level. By measuring and subtracting the leading magnetic effects on the spins, comagnetometry can be used to study non-standard-model spin interactions. New physics scenarios that comagnetometers can probe include EDMs, violations of Lorentz invariance, Goldstone bosons from new high-energy symmetries, spin-dependent and CP-violating long-range forces, and axionic dark matter. We describe the many implementations that have been developed and optimized for these applications, and consider the prospects for improvements in the technique. Based purely on existing technology, there is room for several orders of magnitude in further improvement in statistical sensitivity. We also evaluate sources of systematic error and instability that may limit attainable improvements.