Experimental constraints on the symmetron field with a magnetically levitated force sensor

Dark energy, a mysterious form of energy that pervades the entire Universe, is believed to be responsible for the Universe’s accelerated expansion. Various theoretical attempts have been made to explain the elusive nature of dark energy. One of the compelling theories is the so-called symmetron dark energy, which predicts a fifth force that interacts with matter. However, the screening of the fifth force in high-density environments poses a challenge for laboratory experiments. Although several experiments have constrained certain aspects of the model’s parameter space, there is still a vast and unexplored region. Here we have constructed an experimental platform based on a magnetically levitated force sensor with a specially designed structure to search for the symmetron fifth force at the submillimetre scale and minimize screening effects. We have improved the limits of the model by over six orders of magnitude within the three-dimensional parameter space. Our findings demonstrate the substantial potential of this system in probing forces beyond the Standard Model.