• Featured in Physics

Possible Resonance Effect of Axionic Dark Matter in Josephson Junctions

Christian Beck
Phys. Rev. Lett. 111, 231801 – Published 2 December 2013
Physics logo See Synopsis: Catching Dark Matter Red Handed

Abstract

We provide theoretical arguments that dark-matter axions from the galactic halo that pass through Earth may generate a small observable signal in resonant S/N/S Josephson junctions. The corresponding interaction process is based on the uniqueness of the gauge-invariant axion Josephson phase angle modulo 2π and is predicted to produce a small Shapiro steplike feature without externally applied microwave radiation when the Josephson frequency resonates with the axion mass. A resonance signal of so far unknown origin observed by C. Hoffmann et al. [Phys. Rev. B 70, 180503(R) (2004)] is consistent with our theory and can be interpreted in terms of an axion mass mac2=0.11meV and a local galactic axionic dark-matter density of 0.05GeV/cm3. We discuss future experimental checks to confirm the dark-matter nature of the observed signal.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 17 September 2013

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.111.231801

© 2013 American Physical Society

Synopsis

Key Image

Catching Dark Matter Red Handed

Published 2 December 2013

The elusive dark matter candidates called axions might set off alarm bells in a superconducting detector.

See more in Physics

Authors & Affiliations

Christian Beck*

  • Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences, University of Cambridge, 20 Clarkson Road, Cambridge CB3 0EH, United Kingdom
  • School of Mathematical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, United Kingdom

  • *c.beck@qmul.ac.uk

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 111, Iss. 23 — 6 December 2013

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review Letters

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×