Axion-like dark matter search with space-based gravitational wave detectors
Abstract
Abstract We propose a novel modification to the optical benches of space-based gravitational wave detectors (SGWDs) to enable the detection of axion-like dark matter (ALDM)-induced birefringence without altering the polarization of inter-spacecraft laser links. Our design introduces an auxiliary interferometer to convert polarization modulation into measurable phase shifts. Analytical expressions for sensitivity to the ALDM-photon coupling are derived for various time-delay interferometry (TDI) combinations. Projected sensitivity curves demonstrate complementary coverage across the ALDM mass range 10 -19 ∼ 10 -14 eV. This approach preserves the original interferometric stability while enabling new physics capabilities for SGWDs.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Dark Matter and Cosmic Phenomena
Cosmology and Gravitation Theories
Computational Physics and Python Applications
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
- Publisher
- IOP Publishing
- Volume
- 2026
- Issue
- 04
- Pages
- 082–082
- Publication date
- 1 April 2026
- Language
- EN