You are all invited to participate in the BiCoQ seminar “QUAX: Probing Axion Dark Matter through quantum technologies“
Speaker: Prof. Giovanni Carugno (Università degli Studi di Padova and INFN Sezione di Padova)
Abstract: 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. In this talk, we will report about results obtained, 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 be presented for the axion-electron and axion-photon coupling around the 10 GHz frequency range. We will also report about a side experiment aimed at increasing the scanning speed with application of transmon-based single microwave photon detectors (SMPDs) for cavity readout. This 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.
Date/Time: Monday, 16 March 2026, 14:00
Location: U1-05
Indico: https://indico.global/event/16989/