Dark Matter Axion Search Using a Josephson Traveling Wave Parametric Amplifier

Abstract

We present a new exclusion bound of axion-like particle dark matter with axion-photon couplings above $\mathrm{10^{-13}}$ $\mathrm{GeV^{-1}}$ over the frequency range 4796.7--4799.5 MHz, corresponding to a narrow range of axion masses centered around 19.84 $\mu$eV. This measurement represents the first implementation of a Josephson Traveling Wave Parametric Amplifier (JTWPA) in a dark matter search. The JTWPA was operated in the insert of the Axion Dark Matter eXperiment (ADMX) as part of an independent receiver chain that was attached to a 0.588-liter cavity. The ability of the JTWPA to deliver high gain over a wide (3 GHz) bandwidth has engendered interest from those aiming to perform broadband axion searches, a longstanding goal in this field.