Dark matter detection with MAGIS-100

The proposal is to build a 100-meter long detector based on atom interferometry to be located at Fermilab in an existing 100-meter vertical access shaft at the NuMI neutrino beam facility. A proportion of the work will also be focused on the propose AION experiment to operate in partnership with MAGIS.

The experiment is sensitive to the distortion of the space-time between the sensors, and can be used to answer basic science questions in quantum mechanics, dark sector physics, and 'mid-band' gravitational wave detection. It will be able to detect well-motivated ultra-light dark matter candidates several orders of magnitude beyond current bounds, via time-varying signals. It can also probe hitherto unconstrained parts of parameter space in the search for new fundamental forces.

The proposed work includes development towards more sensitive cameras for improved spatial resolution, and lower backgrounds.