Alpenglow - A Signature for Chameleons in Axion-Like Particle Search Experiments

TL;DR

This paper proposes that chameleon fields could produce an 'afterglow' effect in axion-like particle experiments, offering a new way to detect or constrain these fields using existing and enhanced experimental setups.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of chameleon-induced afterglow signals in axion-like particle searches and discusses experimental configurations to improve detection sensitivity.

Findings

Accessible parameter space for chameleon detection estimated

Afterglow experiments can complement gravitational and Casimir force tests

Potential for significantly increased sensitivity with Fabry-Perot cavities

Abstract

We point out that chameleon field theories might reveal themselves as an 'afterglow' effect in axion-like particle search experiments due to chameleon-photon conversion in a magnetic field. We estimate the parameter space which is accessible by currently available technology and find that afterglow experiments could constrain this parameter space in a way complementary to gravitational and Casimir force experiments.In addition, one could reach photon-chameleon couplings which are beyond the sensitivity of common laser polarization experiments. We also sketch the idea of a Fabry-Perot cavity with chameleons which could increase the experimental sensitivity significantly.