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Axion dark matter detection via shift current

Dan Kondo1,*, Takahiro Morimoto2,†, Genta Osaki3,‡, and Thanaporn Sichanugrist3,§

  • *Contact author: dan.kondo@ipmu.jp
  • †Contact author: morimoto@ap.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp
  • ‡Contact author: osaki@hep-th.phys.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp
  • §Contact author: thanaporn@hep-th.phys.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp
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Phys. Rev. D 114, 035022 – Published 13 August, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/h1st-bs3g

Abstract

We propose a novel method to detect axion dark matter based on a topological phenomenon known as the shift current. We make use of the second-order nonlinearity of the shift current by applying a strong oscillating electric field. This field enhances the axion-induced shift current signal and downconverts its frequency to a more accessible range. The nondissipative nature of the shift current allows us to achieve broadband detection via difference frequency generation. We demonstrate the possibility of probing QCD axions and axion-like particles using the properties of the type-I Weyl semimetal TaAs, targeting an axion mass of O(10)  meV, corresponding to a photon coupling of gaγγ≃O(10−11)  GeV−1.

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Phys. Rev. D 114, 035022– Published 13 August, 2026
  • Received 3 June 2025
  • Revised 22 May 2026
  • Accepted 28 July 2026
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