Axion-like-particle search with high-intensity lasers

TL;DR

This paper investigates the potential of high-intensity laser systems to detect axion-like particles (ALPs) by observing frequency shifts in probe photons caused by ALP-photon conversion in inhomogeneous electromagnetic fields.

Contribution

It introduces a novel laser-based method for ALP detection using high-intensity lasers, focusing on resonant mass sensitivity in optical setups.

Findings

Probe photons can experience frequency shifts due to ALP-photon conversion.

Optical laser setups are sensitive to ALPs in the eV mass range.

Resonant enhancement occurs for ALP masses near laser frequencies.

Abstract

We study ALP-photon-conversion within strong inhomogeneous electromagnetic fields as provided by contemporary high-intensity laser systems. We observe that probe photons traversing the focal spot of a superposition of Gaussian beams of a single high-intensity laser at fundamental and frequency-doubled mode can experience a frequency shift due to their intermittent propagation as axion-like-particles. This process is strongly peaked for resonant masses on the order of the involved laser frequencies. Purely laser-based experiments in optical setups are sensitive to ALPs in the $\mathrm{eV}$ mass range and can thus complement ALP searches at dipole magnets.