Testing the rotation stage for the ARIADNE axion experiment

The Axion Resonant InterAction Detection Experiment (ARIADNE) will search for the Peccei-Quinn (PQ) axion, a hypothetical particle that is a dark matter candidate. Using a new technique based on Nuclear Magnetic Resonance in 3He, the method can probe well into the allowed PQ axion mass window [1]. Additionally, it does not rely on cosmological assumptions. Our project relies on a stable rotary mechanism and superconducting magnetic shielding. Superconducting shielding is essential for limiting magnetic noise, thus allowing a feasible level of sensitivity required for PQ axion detection. Progress on testing the stability of the rotary mechanism will be reported, and the design for the superconducting shielding in the experiment will be discussed. [1] A. Arvanitaki and A. Geraci, Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 161801 (2014).