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Axion-Like Particle Search

One of the most exciting quests in particle physics is the search for new particles beyond the standard model. Extensions of the standard model predict not only new particles with masses above the electroweak scale (about 100 GeV), the so called WIMPs (Weakly Interacting Massive Particles), but also so called WISPs (very Weakly Interacting Sub-eV Particles). Several possible candidates are axions, which have been introduced to explain the smallness of CP violation in QCD and are prime candidates for a constituent of the dark matter in the universe, or similar axion like particles (ALPs), light spin 1 particles called "hidden sector photons" or light minicharged particles. Such particles seem to occur naturally in realistic embeddings of the standard model into string theory. It is therefore an important and fundamental question whether any of these light particles exists. The ALPS experiment is set up to search for WISPs with masses up to the meV scale. They could be produced by interactions of laser light photons with the strong magnetic field of a dipole magnet of the HERA proton accelerator.

For diploma or Ph.D theses in connection with ALPS please contact Axel Lindner.

News

December 3, 2009
The ALPS data run with an effective laser power well beyond 1 kW and a new CCD finished successfully. Preliminary data analyses indicate that ALPS has surpassed in sensitivity all previous "light-shining-through-a-wall" exeriments.

May 26, 2009
Publication on first results obtained with an optical resonator is available: arXiv:0905.4159v1 [physics.ins-det] (and submitted to NIM).

April 25, 2009
The "New Scientist" reports on possible future communcation with WISPs.

April 20, 2009
Succesful locking of upgraded optical resonator in the magnet.

February 18, 2009
Simultaneous locking of the cavity for resonant second harmonic generation (conversion of infrared to green light) and of the optical resonator in the magnet achieved.

November 28, 2008
First data taking with the optical resonator successfully concluded.

June 2008
Optical resonator in the first part of the ALPS magnet locked!

December 17, 2007
J. Redondo has set up a wiki for discussions on "sub eV" physics: http://alps-wiki.desy.de.

September 21, 2007
"Phase 0" of data taking successfully concluded.

January 11, 2007
The DESY Directorate approves the project

December 8, 2006
The Letter-of-Intent for the ALPS experiment is released.