A search for chameleon particles using a photon regeneration technique

TL;DR

This paper presents the first experimental search for chameleon particles, hypothesized scalar fields related to dark energy, using a novel photon regeneration technique that traps and detects these particles through their afterglow.

Contribution

It introduces a new experimental method to create, trap, and detect chameleon particles, providing initial constraints on their photon couplings.

Findings

First experimental constraints on chameleon-photon couplings

Implementation of a novel trapping and detection technique

No detection of chameleons within sensitivity limits

Abstract

We report the first results from the GammeV search for chameleon particles, which may be created via photon-photon interactions within a strong magnetic field. Chameleons are hypothesized scalar fields that could explain the dark energy problem. We implement a novel technique to create and trap the reflective particles within a jar and to detect them later via their afterglow as they slowly convert back into photons. These measurements provide the first experimental constraints on the couplings of chameleons to photons.