Although dark matter cannot be observed directly with conventional methods, its existence is inferred through its gravitational influence on visible matter and potentially through magnetic field-like effects on atomic structures. GNOME operates through a network of 15 stations situated at leading research institutions worldwide. By analyzing magnetic field signals gathered from these stations' quantum sensors, researchers hope to detect global "domain walls" - hypothetical structures associated with dark matter - moving through Earth.

Singapore's GNOME station will be housed at the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and will integrate contributions from the Centre for Quantum Technologies (CQT), the National University of Singapore (NUS), and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore). The station will leverage A*STAR's quantum magnetometers, CQT's advanced atomic gravimeters, and NUS and NTU Singapore's atomic clocks. These tools will be enhanced with cloud computing and machine learning capabilities provided by Amazon Web Services (AWS) Singapore to optimize data collection and analysis. This unified "hybrid-sensor network" is designed to extend the range of detectable dark matter and exotic particles. Additionally, Singapore's equatorial location enhances GNOME's geographical coverage, improving data accuracy and filtering unwanted noise.

This collaboration is expected to foster significant knowledge exchange between Singapore and other global institutions. The advanced quantum sensors and machine learning tools developed for this initiative also hold promise for broader applications, including biomedical imaging, navigation systems, and environmental monitoring technologies.

Dr. Wang Tao, Senior Quantum Scientist at A*STAR and a former operator of two GNOME stations at the University of California, Berkeley, commented, "Joining GNOME marks an exciting new chapter for us. It was made possible through strong public-private partnerships with our local ecosystem collaborators, CQT and AWS Singapore. As part of GNOME, Singapore is well-positioned to advance the frontiers of quantum metrology and contribute to unravelling the astrophysical mystery of dark matter. We aim to deliver our first search data in 2025."

Associate Professor Murray Barrett, Principal Investigator at CQT and faculty member in the NUS Department of Physics, added, "The unprecedented precision of optical clocks opens new scientific opportunities such as the search for new physics or possible dark matter models. My team's lutetium clock project has established this capability in Singapore, and I am delighted for the opportunity to contribute to GNOME."

Ms. Elsie Tan, Country Manager, Worldwide Public Sector, at AWS Singapore, stated, "AWS democratises access to quantum technologies that are helping organisations tackle complex challenges and drive innovation across industries. We are proud to advance Singapore's national quantum initiative and support its entry into the prestigious global GNOME network, building on our ongoing collaborations with A*STAR to develop quantum cloud solutions and accelerate mainstream capabilities in the cloud."

Professor Lam Ping Koy, A*STAR Chief Quantum Scientist, said, "This initiative brings together Singapore's expertise in quantum metrology and machine learning to tackle fundamental physics challenges. It establishes Singapore as a major player in quantum sensing, highlighting our global role in harnessing quantum technologies to address significant scientific challenges."

Research Reports:GNOME: Global Network of Optical Magnetometers to search for Exotic Physics

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