Searching for vector dark matter with an optomechanical accelerometer

Understand

We consider using optomechanical accelerometers as resonant detectors for ultralight dark matter.

• As a concrete example, we describe a detector based on a silicon nitride membrane fixed to a beryllium mirror, forming an optical cavity.
• The use of different materials gives access to forces proportional to baryon (B) and lepton (L) charge, which are believed to be coupling channels for vector dark matter particles ("dark photons").
• The cavity meanwhile provides access to quantum-limited displacement measurements.