• Accepted Paper

Nb3Sn superconducting microwave cavity tunable over 1 GHz for dark-matter searches

D. Maiello, R. Di Vora, D. Ahn, G. Carugno, R. Cervantes, B. Giaccone, A. Ortolan, S. Posen, G. Ruoso, G. Sardo Infirri, B. Tennis, S. Tocci, and C. Braggio

Phys. Rev. Applied - Accepted 9 October, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/k4tb-q2pd

Abstract

We demonstrate a novel wide-frequency tuning mechanism for superconducting microwave cavities designed for dark matter searches. Using a Nb3Sn-coated cigar-shaped cavity operating at approximately 9,GHz, we achieve continuous frequency tuning exceeding 1,GHz by mechanically separating the two cavity halves: a “tuning-by-opening” technique. Finite-element method simulations predict that radiative losses do not degrade the quality factor even for large openings, as a closed cavity with an intrinsic quality factor of 107 maintains this value for apertures up to 9,mm, corresponding to a tuning range from 9.0 to 7.5,GHz. Experimental validation using both copper ring spacers and a continuous sliding mechanism confirms Q0 values exceeding the dark matter quality factor across the entire explored frequency range, despite mechanical imperfections and film non-uniformities. This tuning approach avoids inserting elements into the resonant volume, making it particularly suitable for high-Q superconducting cavities in axion haloscope experiments and readily applicable to REBCO-based implementations capable of operating in multi-tesla magnetic fields.

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