Speaker
Description
The QUest for Axion (QUAX) is a direct-detection CDM axion search which reaches the sensitivity necessary for the detection of galactic QCD-axion in the range of frequency 8.5-11 GHz.
The QUAX collaboration is operating two haloscopes, located at Padova/LNL- and LNF-INFN laboratories in Italy, that work in synergy and operate in different mass ranges.
In this talk we will report about results obtained at the Padova-LNL laboratories , using a high quality factor dielectric cavity cooled at less than 100 mK inside a dilution refrigerator equipped with a 8 T magnet with a JPA and TWPA-based amplification chain for cavity signal readout, resulting in a system noise temperature at the quantum limit.
Results will presented for the axion-electron and axion-photon coupling around the 10 GHz frequency range.
We will also report about R&D activity aimed at increasing the scanning speed with application of transmon-based single microwave photon detectors (SMPDs) for cavity readout.
The prototype haloscope we developed is based on a cylindrical copper cavity sputtered with NbTi, resonant at 7.3 GHz frequency, and cooled at mK temperatures inside a dilution refrigerator equipped with a SC magnet.
Results obtained employing a moderate magnetic field will be described.
