Measurement of the magnetically-induced QED birefringence of the vacuum and an improved search for laboratory axions: Project definition study of the use of assets and facilities of the Superconducting Super Collider Laboratory
Abstract
The Colorado State Collaboration has studied the feasibility of a high sensitivity Quantum Electrodynamics (QED) birefringence/axion search measurement. The objective of this work is to measure, for the first time, the birefringence induced in the vacuum on a light beam travelling in a powerful magnetic field. The same experimental setup also allows a highly sensitive search for axion or axion-like particles. The experiment would combine custom-designed optical heterodyne interferometry with a string of six SSC prototype superconducting dipole magnets at the N-15 site of the SSC Laboratory. With these powerful laser tools, sensitivity advances of 10(exp 7) to 10(exp 9) over previous optical experiments will be possible. The proposed experiment will be able to measure the QED light-by-light scattering effect with a 0.5% accuracy. The increased sensitivity for the axion-two photon interaction will result in a bound on this process rivaling the results based on astrophysical arguments. In the technical report the authors address the scientific significance of these experiments and examine the limiting technical parameters which control their feasibility. The proposed optical/electronic scheme is presented in the context of a background of the known and projected systematic problems which will confront any serious attempt to make such measurements.
- Publication:
-
Technical Report Colorado State Univ
- Pub Date:
- October 1994
- Bibcode:
- 1994csu..rept.....L
- Keywords:
-
- Birefringence;
- Fabry-Perot Interferometers;
- Feasibility;
- Magnetic Fields;
- Quantum Electrodynamics;
- Superconducting Magnets;
- Superconducting Super Collider;
- Vacuum Systems;
- Cost Estimates;
- Cryogenics;
- Design Analysis;
- Energy Dissipation;
- Light Beams;
- Light Scattering;
- Performance Tests;
- Temperature Effects;
- Nuclear and High-Energy Physics