An improved analysis framework for axion dark matter searches

Understand

In experiments searching for axionic dark matter, the use of the standard threshold-based data analysis discards valuable information.

• We present a Bayesian analysis framework that builds on an existing processing protocol to extract more information from the data of coherent axion detectors such as operating haloscopes.
• The analysis avoids logical subtleties that accompany the standard analysis framework and enables greater experimental flexibility on future data runs.
• Performing this analysis on the existing data from the HAYSTAC experiment, we find improved constraints on the axion-photon coupling $g_\gamma$ while also identifying the most promising regions of parameter space within the $23.15$--$24.0$ $\mu$eV mass range.