Progress in the experimental study of quantum vacuum with polarized light at PVLAS

by CANTATORE, G. (INFN and Trieste University)

Tuesday 11 Jul 2006, 16:30 → 17:30 Europe/Zurich

500/1-001 - Main Auditorium (CERN)

The vacuum element can be used as a target in a low energy photon collider to study its properties. Information on scattering processes can be obtained by measuring changes in the polarization state of the photons. Quantum Electrodynamics predicts some possible processes, while additional, unexpected, vacuum properties might be linked to the existence of hypothetical, neutral, light particles interacting with two photons. In the PVLAS experiment, a linearly polarized laser beam propagates for about 50 km through a 5 T transverse magnetic field in vacuum, and a high sensitivity ellipsometer allows detection of minute changes in the polarization state of the beam. The measurement technique employed by PVLAS will be illustrated, and recent results will be presented, along with preparations for a photon-regeneration-type experiment.

Organiser(s): Rolf Landua / DSU

Note: * Tea & coffee will be served at 16:00.

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