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AION: An Atom Interferometer Observatory and Network

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Badurina, L 
Bentine, E 
Blas, D 
Bongs, K 
Bortoletto, D 

Abstract

We outline the experimental concept and key scientific capabilities of AION (Atom Interferometer Observatory and Network), a proposed UK-based experimental programme using cold strontium atoms to search for ultra-light dark matter, to explore gravitational waves in the mid-frequency range between the peak sensitivities of the LISA and LIGO/Virgo/ KAGRA/INDIGO/Einstein Telescope/Cosmic Explorer experiments, and to probe other frontiers in fundamental physics. AION would complement other planned searches for dark matter, as well as probe mergers involving intermediate mass black holes and explore early universe cosmology. AION would share many technical features with the MAGIS experimental programme in the US, and synergies would flow from operating AION in a network with this experiment, as well as with other atom interferometer experiments such as MIGA, ZAIGA and ELGAR. Operating AION in a network with other gravitational wave detectors such as LIGO, Virgo and LISA would also offer many synergies.

Description

Keywords

astro-ph.CO, astro-ph.CO, gr-qc, hep-ex, hep-ph, physics.atom-ph

Journal Title

Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1475-7516
1475-7516

Volume Title

2020

Publisher

Institute of Physics Publishing

Rights

All rights reserved
Sponsorship
STFC (ST/S000712/1)
Science and Technology Facilities Council (ST/N000927/1)
Science and Technology Facilities Council (ST/S000623/1)