University of Queensland PhD student Ashlee Caddell co-led the study in collaboration with Germany's Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), using high-precision atomic clocks and cavity-stabilized lasers to search for dark matter in an unprecedented way.

"Despite extensive theories and experimental efforts, dark matter remains elusive, even though we consider it the 'glue' that binds the galaxy," said Ms. Caddell.

"Our research took a different route by analyzing data from a network of ultra-stable lasers linked through fiber optic cables, as well as two atomic clocks aboard GPS satellites."

The study focused on detecting dark matter as a wave-like entity, given its extraordinarily low mass.

"By using widely separated clocks, we aimed to detect variations in this wave, which would manifest as slight differences in timekeeping or tick rates between the clocks," Ms. Caddell explained. "The greater the distance between the clocks, the stronger this effect would appear."

This novel technique allowed researchers to probe dark matter candidates that have remained undetectable in previous searches due to their lack of light or energy emissions.

"By comparing precision measurements over vast distances, we were able to uncover subtle oscillatory effects of dark matter that conventional methods would typically cancel out," Ms. Caddell noted.

"Excitingly, we managed to investigate dark matter models that interact universally with all atoms-something previous experiments have struggled to achieve."

University of Queensland physicist and co-author Dr. Benjamin Roberts emphasized that the findings could advance the search for one of the universe's most mysterious components.

"This research broadens the scope of possible dark matter scenarios that can now be explored, potentially leading to fundamental discoveries about the universe's underlying structure," Dr. Roberts stated.

"The study also underscores the value of international cooperation and cutting-edge technology, combining PTB's state-of-the-art atomic clocks with UQ's expertise in precision measurements and fundamental physics."

Research Report:Ultralight Dark Matter Search with Space-Time Separated Atomic Clocks and Cavities

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