An international team of researchers has made strides towards solving two major physics puzzles. This significant development advances the quest to unravel the enigmatic nature of the Universe. They conducted a novel experiment at the European X-ray Free Electron Laser (European XFEL) Facility.
The study, published in Physical Review Letters, focuses on the search for axions. These are hypothetical particles that could provide evidence for new physics beyond the Standard Model. They could also serve as a candidate for dark matter. Dark matter is the elusive substance accounting for most of the structure of the cosmos.
The team was led by Dr Jack Halliday from the UK Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). They used the European XFEL’s powerful X-ray laser to create ultrashort flashes. These flashes interacted with precisely oriented germanium crystals. This interaction potentially converted photons into axions. An opaque titanium sheet served as a barrier. It allowed only axions to pass through. They were detected when they converted back into photons on the other side. This is a technique known as ‘light-shining-through-walls’.
The researchers demonstrated that their setup already has sensitivity competitive with other experiments using particle accelerators. This paves the way for future experiments focusing on axions in specific mass ranges. Their ultimate goal is to improve sensitivity significantly. This would enable the detection of axions consistent with Quantum Chromodynamics theory.
This experiment highlights the versatility of XFEL technology in addressing fundamental physics questions. It pushes the boundaries of our understanding of the Universe. The research is the result of a long-standing collaboration at the Department of Physics at Oxford University. This collaboration involves experimental plasma physicist Dr Halliday, theoretical physicist Professor Subir Sarkar, and the late particle physicist Professor Ian Shipsey.
The axion hypothesis was proposed to address a conundrum in particle physics: why neutrons, despite being composed of charged quarks, do not possess an electric dipole moment. To explain this anomaly, scientists suggested the existence of axions, minuscule and incredibly light particles that could “neutralize” this imbalance. If observed, this process would provide direct evidence for new physics beyond the Standard Model.
The European X-ray Free Electron Laser: A Powerhouse for Physics
The study, titled “Bounds on Heavy Axions with an X-Ray Free Electron Laser,” published in Physical Review Letters, sets limits on the properties of heavy axions using this innovative technique. By analyzing the data collected, researchers hope to either confirm the existence of axions or rule out their presence within a certain range of masses and coupling strengths.
If successful, this experiment could provide crucial insights into dark matter, one of the most intriguing mysteries in modern physics. The discovery of axions would not only validate the axion hypothesis but also open up new avenues for research and technological advancements.
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