title: Search for an Ultralight Scalar Dark Matter Candidate with the AURIGA Detector.
abstract: A search for a new scalar field, called moduli, has been performed using the cryogenic resonant-mass AURIGA detector. Predicted by string theory, moduli may provide a significant contribution to the dark matter (DM) component of our Universe. If this is the case, the interaction of ordinary matter with the local DM moduli, forming the Galaxy halo, will cause an oscillation of solid bodies with a frequency corresponding to the mass of moduli. In the sensitive band of AURIGA, some 100 Hz at around 1 kHz, the expected signal, with Q=△f/f∼10^{6}, is a narrow peak, △f∼1  mHz. Here the detector strain sensitivity is h_{s}∼2×10^{-21}  Hz^{-1/2}, within a factor of 2. These numbers translate to upper limits at 95% C.L. on the moduli coupling to ordinary matter (d_{e}+d_{m_{e}})≲10^{-5} around masses m_{ϕ}=3.6×10^{-12}  eV, for the standard DM halo model with ρ_{DM}=0.3  GeV/cm^{3}.
authors.affiliation: INFN, Sezione di Padova, Via Marzolo 8, I-35131 Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Branca
authors.affiliation: Institute of Materials for Electronics and Magnetism, Nanoscience-Trento-FBK Division, I-38123 Trento, Italy.|TIFPA-INFN, c/o Dipartimento di Fisica, Universitá di Trento, Via Sommarive 14, 38123 Povo, Trento, Italy.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bonaldi
authors.affiliation: INFN, Sezione di Padova, Via Marzolo 8, I-35131 Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cerdonio
authors.affiliation: INFN, Sezione di Padova, Via Marzolo 8, I-35131 Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Livia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Conti
authors.affiliation: TIFPA-INFN, c/o Dipartimento di Fisica, Universitá di Trento, Via Sommarive 14, 38123 Povo, Trento, Italy.|Istituto di Fotonica e Nanotecnologie, CNR-Fondazione Bruno Kessler, I-38123 Povo, Trento, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Falferi
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia, Universitá di Firenze, Via Sansone 1, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy.|Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN), Sezione di Firenze, Via Sansone 1, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy.|European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy (LENS), Via Carrara 1, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Marin
authors.affiliation: TIFPA-INFN, c/o Dipartimento di Fisica, Universitá di Trento, Via Sommarive 14, 38123 Povo, Trento, Italy.|Dipartimento di Fisica, Universitá di Trento, I-38123 Povo, Trento, Italy.
authors.forename: Renato
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mezzena
authors.affiliation: INFN-Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro, I-35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy.
authors.forename: Antonello
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ortolan
authors.affiliation: TIFPA-INFN, c/o Dipartimento di Fisica, Universitá di Trento, Via Sommarive 14, 38123 Povo, Trento, Italy.|Dipartimento di Fisica, Universitá di Trento, I-38123 Povo, Trento, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Prodi
authors.affiliation: INFN, Sezione di Padova, Via Marzolo 8, I-35131 Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Taffarello
authors.affiliation: INFN, Sezione di Padova, Via Marzolo 8, I-35131 Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vedovato
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Fotonica e Nanotecnologie, CNR-Fondazione Bruno Kessler, I-38123 Povo, Trento, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vinante
authors.affiliation: TIFPA-INFN, c/o Dipartimento di Fisica, Universitá di Trento, Via Sommarive 14, 38123 Povo, Trento, Italy.|Dipartimento di Fisica, Universitá di Trento, I-38123 Povo, Trento, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vitale
authors.affiliation: INFN, Sezione di Padova, Via Marzolo 8, I-35131 Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Zendri