Title: Application of Spin-Exchange Relaxation-Free Magnetometry to the Cosmic Axion Spin Precession Experiment,
Abstract: The Cosmic Axion Spin Precession Experiment (CASPEr) seeks to measure
oscillating torques on nuclear spins caused by axion or axion-like-particle
(ALP) dark matter via nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques. A sample
spin-polarized along a leading magnetic field experiences a resonance when the
Larmor frequency matches the axion/ALP Compton frequency, generating precessing
transverse nuclear magnetization. Here we demonstrate a Spin-Exchange
Relaxation-Free (SERF) magnetometer with sensitivity $\approx 1~{\rm
fT/\sqrt{Hz}}$ and an effective sensing volume of 0.1 $\rm{cm^3}$ that may be
useful for NMR detection in CASPEr. A potential drawback of
SERF-magnetometer-based NMR detection is the SERF's limited dynamic range. Use
of a magnetic flux transformer to suppress the leading magnetic field is
considered as a potential method to expand the SERF's dynamic range in order to
probe higher axion/ALP Compton frequencies.