Prototype differential atom interferometer overcomes laser noise to probe dark matter and primordial gravitational waves
A tabletop prototype using two ultracold strontium atom clouds demonstrates a differential atom interferometer can cancel laser phase noise, revealing faint signals that could indicate dark matter or primordial gravitational waves. This experimentally confirms a key principle for future large-scale quantum sensors (AION) and paves the way for scaling to facilities at CERN or Fermilab to explore new physics.