Description
We will establish the Southern-Hemisphere node (GravNet-Australia) of an international quantum-sensor network for high-frequency-gravitational-wave (HFGW) and wave-like-dark-matter discovery (GravNet). By linking cryogenic acoustic resonators, electromagnetic cavities, inertial sensors, precision timing infrastructure, and low-noise quantum readout across UWA, Swinburne, SUPL, and NMI. The network will transform isolated precision measurements into a coordinated global observatory. The Australian node is essential because it provides long-baseline geographic separation from the European Research Council-funded GravNet network, enabling coincidence searches, rejection of local environmental artefacts, propagation-delay comparisons, directional inference and stronger validation of rare candidate events.
The program will deploy complementary detector technologies. Acoustic high-Q bulk acoustic resonators will search for MHz signals[1], microwave cavities in strong magnetic fields will target GHz signals[2], and broad-band magnetically transduced inertial sensors will target 1-100 MHz. These platforms provide complementary sensitivity to different signal classes, coupling mechanisms, and frequency ranges. The instruments will be operated at millikelvin temperatures using SQUIDs, travelling-wave parametric amplifier readout, and single-photon-capable detection schemes. A precision timing backbone linked to UTC(AUS) through NMI will provide nanosecond-level time stamping, allowing distributed instruments to be analysed as a coherent network rather than as independent experiments.
Beyond searches for new physics, we will build capability in quantum metrology, cryogenics, precision timing, low-noise microwave engineering, and acoustic sensing. The network will connect Australia directly to leading European and international efforts in fundamental physics. Its scientific reach includes searches for primordial black-hole mergers, high-frequency gravitational waves, axion-like particles, dark photons, and other weakly coupled fields. By combining high-Q resonators, quantum readout, precision clocks and distributed coincidence analysis, GravNet will open a discovery window inaccessible to existing gravitational-wave observatories, and position Australia as a critical partner in the emerging global network of quantum-limited fundamental-physics experiments.
[1] WM Campbell et.al., PRL, 135, 251402, 2025.
[2] ME Tobar et.al., Symmetry, 14, 2165, 2022.
| I am the presenting author | Yes |
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