Thesis

The proposed doctoral project involves the commissioning and operation of an experimental search for axion dark matter. These hypothetical particles are motivated by a minimal extension of the Standard Model that offers an explanation for intriguing coincidences in the strong-interaction sector.

The experiment is based at the CEA site in Saclay, France, and employs intense magnetic fields and a cryogenic radiometer sensitive to signals in the 10 GHz frequency range. Phase I uses permanent magnets operating at room temperature, while Phase II, currently under construction, will employ high-temperature superconducting magnets.

The successful candidate will participate in data-taking and data analysis for Phase I, develop models of background noise, and devise signal-recognition algorithms. The resulting constraints on axion parameter space will be of considerable value to the research community and are expected to lead to high-impact publications.

In parallel, the candidate will contribute to the preparation of Phase II, including the assembly, commissioning and operation of superconductivity test facilities. They will also be involved in the commissioning and characterisation of the final experimental apparatus, followed by data-taking and the analysis of the resulting data.