Orpheus: Extending the ADMX QCD Dark-Matter Axion Search to Higher Masses

Axions are hypothetical particles that, if they exist, would solve both the strong CP problem and the dark matter problem. Axions in our local dark matter halo could be detected using an apparatus consisting of a resonant microwave cavity threaded by a strong magnetic field. The ADMX experiment has recently used this technique to search for axions in the few mµ eV/c² mass range. However, the ADMX search technique becomes increasingly challenging with increasing axion mass. This is because higher masses require smaller-diameter cavities, and a smaller cavity volume reduces the signal strength. Thus, there is interest in developing more sophisticated resonators to overcome this problem. The ADMX Orpheus experiment is one proposed resonator; it is a dielectric-loaded Fabry-Perot resonator designed to search for axions with masses approaching 100 mµ eV/c^2. We present both progress on the characterization of a table-top prototype and the design of the cryogenic experiment.