Axion detection through resonant photon-photon collisions

Abstract

We investigate the prospect of an alternative laboratory-based search for the coupling of axions and axion-like particles to photons. Here, the collision of two laser beams resonantly produces axions, and a signal photon is detected after magnetic reconversion, as in light-shining-through-walls (LSW) experiments. Conventional searches, such as LSW or anomalous birefrigence measurements, are most sensitive to axion masses for which substantial coherence can be achieved; this is usually well below optical energies. We find that using currently available high-power laser facilities, the bounds that can be achieved by our approach outperform traditional LSW at axion masses between $0.5-6$ eV, set by the optical laser frequencies and collision angle. These bounds can be further improved through coherent scattering off laser substructures, probing axion-photon couplings down to $g_{a\gamma \gamma }\sim 10^{-8}{\text{GeV}}^{-1}$, comparable with existing CAST bounds. Assuming a day long measurement per angular step, the QCD axion band can be reached.

6 pages, 5 figures; realistic experimental parameters considered. To appear in PRD