Search for QCD axion dark matter with transmon qubits and quantum circuit

We propose a direct axion dark matter (DM) search using superconducting transmon qubits as quantum sensors. With an external magnetic field applied, axion DM generates an oscillating electric field which causes the excitation of the qubit; such an excitation can be regarded as a signal of the axion DM. We provide a theoretical consideration of the excitation process of the qubits taking into account the effects of the shielding cavity surrounding the qubits and estimate the signal rate for the axion DM detection. We also discuss the enhancement of the DM signal by using cavity resonance and entangled quantum sensors realized by a quantum circuit. Combining these two effects, we can reach the parameter region suggested by QCD axion models.

💡 Research Summary

The paper proposes a novel direct‑detection strategy for QCD axion dark matter using superconducting transmon qubits as quantum sensors. The key idea is that, in the presence of a static external magnetic field ( \mathbf{B}0 ), the axion field ( a(t)=a_0\cos(m_a t-\alpha) ) couples to photons through the term ( -\frac{1}{8}g{a\gamma\gamma}a,\epsilon^{\mu\nu\rho\sigma}F_{\mu\nu}F_{\rho\sigma} ). This interaction induces an oscillating electric field ( \mathbf{E}(t)=\bar{E}\cos(m_a t-\alpha) ) inside the experimental volume. The authors quantize the electromagnetic field inside a metallic shielding cavity, imposing the boundary condition that the electric field be perpendicular to the cavity walls. By expanding the field in cavity eigenmodes they obtain an expression for the induced field that contains a resonant enhancement factor \