First results from a second generation galactic axion experiment

We report first results from a large-scale search for dark matter axions. The experiment probes axion masses of 1.3–13 μeV at a sensitivity which is about 50 times higher than previous pilot experiments. We have already scanned part of this mass range at a sensitivity better than required to see at least one generic axion model, the KSVZ axion. Data taking at full sensitivity commenced in February 1996 and scanning the proposed mass range will require three years.