Searching for energetic cosmic axions in a laboratory experiment: testing the PVLAS anomaly

TL;DR

This paper proposes a laboratory experiment using a superconducting solenoid to detect energetic cosmic axions, testing the PVLAS anomaly by observing axion-photon mixing from astrophysical sources.

Contribution

It introduces a novel experimental approach to detect energetic cosmic axions related to the PVLAS claim, independent of axion interaction energy dependence.

Findings

Potential detection of axions from astrophysical sources like the Crab pulsar.

Estimation of event rates in CAST for PVLAS-favored axion parameters.

Validation of the axion interpretation of the PVLAS anomaly through laboratory testing.

Abstract

Astrophysical sources of energetic gamma rays provide the right conditions for maximal mixing between (pseudo)scalar (axion-like) particles and photons if their coupling is as strong as suggested by the PVLAS claim. This is independent of whether or not the axion interaction is standard at all energies or becomes supressed in the extreme conditions of the stellar interior. The flux of such particles through the Earth could be observed using a metre long, Tesla strength superconducting solenoid thus testing the axion interpretation of the PVLAS anomaly. The rate of events in CAST caused by axions from the Crab pulsar is also estimated for the PVLAS-favoured parameters.