Quantum-enhanced interferometry for dark matter searches

We present the design and status of a detector to search for axions and axion-like particles in the galactic halo using quantum-enhanced interferometry. The operating principle is related to previously reported ideas, but aims for axions in the mass range from 10⁻¹⁶ eV up to 10⁻⁸ eV. We also show how to apply squeezed states of light to enhance the sensitivity similar to the gravitational-wave detectors. This experiment has the potential to be further scaled up to a multi-kilometre long detector and to then set constraints of the axion-photon coupling coefficient of ∼ 10⁻¹⁸ GeV⁻¹ for axion masses of 10⁻¹⁶ eV, or detect a signal.