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Searching for ultralight dark matter with MOLeQuTE: A massive optically levitated quantum tabletop experiment

Louis Hamaide1,2,*, Hannah Banks3,4, Peter Barker5, and Andrew A. Geraci6

  • *Contact author: hamaidel@uni-mainz.de
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Phys. Rev. Research 8, 043086 – Published 22 October, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/2t8j-3wzj

Abstract

Many well theoretically motivated models of ultralight dark matter are expected to give rise to feeble oscillatory forces on macroscopic objects. Optically trapped sensors have high force sensitivities but have remained relatively unexplored in this context. In this work, we propose a tunable, optically trapped sensor specifically designed to detect such forces. Our design features a high-mass (∼mg) plate whose high aspect ratio allows its weight to be supported by a vertical beam without excessive heating. We present the first systematic analysis and optimization of quantum noises in optically trapped systems and show that our setup has the potential to operate at the standard quantum limit with current off-the-shelf technologies. We demonstrate that our sensor could offer unique access to large regions of uncharted parameter space of vector baryon minus lepton dark matter, with projected sensitivities that could advance existing limits by several orders of magnitude over a broad range of frequencies.

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Phys. Rev. Research 8, 043086– Published 22 October, 2026
  • Received 30 January 2026
  • Accepted 23 July 2026
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