First Search for Ultralight Dark Matter Using a Magnetically Levitated Particle

We perform the first search for ultralight dark matter using a magnetically levitated particle. A sub-millimeter permanent magnet is levitated in a superconducting trap to measure the oscillatory force signal expected from this wave-like dark matter candidate. We find no evidence of a signal and derive limits on dark matter coupled to the difference between baryon and lepton number, B−L, in the mass range (1.10360 - 1.10485) × 10⁻¹³ eV/c². Our most stringent limit on the coupling strength is g_B−L≲ 2.98×10⁻²¹ which, though less stringent than existing constraints, showcases what the current state-of-the-art magnetic levitation technology can achieve in a new research direction. We propose the POLONAISE (Probing Oscillations using Levitated Objects for Novel Accelerometry in Searches of Exotic physics) experiment, featuring short-, medium-, and long-term upgrades that will give us leading sensitivity in a wide mass range and demonstrating the promise of this novel quantum sensing technology in the hunt for dark matter.