$N^2$ Enhanced Quantum Detection and the CATCHY experiment
The CATCHY experiment (Coherent Atomic Transitions in Cold HYdrogen) is a direct dark matter search designed to amplify weak particle interactions through macroscopic quantum coherence. Traditional astroparticle detection methods currently improve sensitivity by increasing target mass and exposure time, and at present often require tons of material and observation periods spanning decades (signal rates scale with $N$). In contrast, a CATCHY-style detector uses two-photon excitation of parahydrogen to achieve superradiance, a collective process where signal rates can scale as $N^2$. While standard superradiance is typically limited to micron scales by the optical wavelength, this experiment aims to establish coherence across a few centimeters. In this talk, we will present the experimental framework for achieving a macroscopic coherent quantum state and discuss its future potential as a very sensitive detector.

