Cavity Characterization for the Princeton Axion Search

Abstract

The Princeton Axion Search (PXS) targets the mass window $0.8\text{--}2.1~μ\text{eV}$ (corresponding to frequencies $200\text{--}500~\text{MHz}$) at DFSZ sensitivity. The experiment, a haloscope, will use a cylindrical copper-plated aluminum cavity of $700~\text{mm}$ diameter and $1022~\text{mm}$ height, immersed in a $5~\text{T}$ solenoidal magnetic field. A $152~\text{mm}$ diameter tuning rod spanning the height of the cavity rotates to tune the primary mode resonance from $390\text{--}480~\text{MHz}$, the frequency range for initial operations. We deduce the electric and magnetic field mode patterns using a combination of dielectric and metallic bead perturbations on the empty cavity. The measured mode frequencies and the $\text{TM}_{010}$ field profile, as a function of tuning rod position, are in excellent agreement with simulations. We describe the effect of fabrication and assembly imperfections, including the bowing of end plates and tilt of the tuning rod. The welded seams and end-cap joints are demonstrated to not significantly degrade $Q$. We combine measurement and simulation to assess an uncertainty on form factor across the full tuning range. Our results validate PXS's cavity architecture and inform future searches for sub-$μ\text{eV}$ axions, in which large-volume high-$Q$ structures are required to reach QCD sensitivity.