Dark energy search by atom interferometry in the Einstein-elevator
C. Garcion1, S.S. Gill1, M. Misslisch1, A. Heidt4, I. Papadakis2, B. Piest1,6, V. Schkolnik2, T. Wendrich1, A. Prat8, K. Bleeke8, H. Müntinga7, M. Krutzik2,5, S.-W. Chiow3, N. Yu3, C. Lotz4, N. Gaaloul1 and E.M. Rasel1
Published in:
EPJ Quantum Technol., vol. 12, art. 65, doi:10.1140/epjqt/s40507-025-00371-0 (2025).
Abstract:
The DESIRE project aims to test chameleon field theories as potential candidates for dark energy. The chameleon field is a light scalar field that is subject to screening mechanisms in dense environments making them hardly detectable. The project is designed to overcome this challenge. To this end, a specially designed source mass generates periodic gravitational and chameleon potentials. The design of the source mass allows for adjustment of the amplitude and periodicity of the gravitational potential while keeping the chameleon potential unchanged. The periodicity of the potentials makes them distinguishable from the environment and allows for resonant detection using multiloop atom interferometry under microgravity conditions.
1 Institut für Quantenoptik, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Welfengarten 1, Hannover, 30167, Germany
2 Institut für Physik, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Newtonstraße 15, Berlin, 12489, Germany
3 Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, 91109 CA, USA
4 Institut für Transport- und Automatisierungstechnik c/o Hannover Institute of Technology, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Callinstraße 36, Hannover, 30167, Germany
5 Ferdinand-Braun-Institut, Gustav-Kirchoff-Str. 4, Berlin, 12489, Germany
6 Laboratoire Temps Espace, Observatoire de Paris, Université PSL, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, 61 Avenue de l’Observatoire, Paris, 75014, France
7 Institut für Satellitengeodäsie und Inertialsensorik, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V., Am Fallturm 9, Bremen, 28359, Germany
8 Institut für Softwaretechnologie, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V., Lilienthalplatz 7, Braunschweig, 38108, Germany
Keywords:
Atom Interferometry; BEC; Microgravity; Chameleon Field; Dark Energy
© The Author(s) 2025.
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