PVLAS

Collaboration

Laboratory: Legnaro National Laboratory of INFN

National Responsible: G. Cantatore (Ts)

1. Goal of the experiment

Several effects, such as photon-photon scattering and particle production from a two-photon interaction, contribute to the complex structure of the quantum vacuum. Pursuing a detection strategy based on optical techniques, these interactions are studied in PVLAS by sending a linearly polarised laser beam through a transverse magnetic field, and by measuring changes in the polarisation state of the light.

More on the experiment...

2.

Activities during 2001

A frequency-doubled laser has been tested in Trieste by achieving frequency-lock to a trial Fabry-Perot cavity. Installation on the main apparatus has however been postponed to 2002, since a signal has already been detected and is now under study. To clarify the nature of this detected signal, 45 hours of actual data acquisition have b,en completed by 31/12/2001

The following achievements have been obtained:

- 45 hours of actual data acquisition

Milestones 2002

Magnetic shielding tests completed. Validation tests on the vibration reduction feedback system 30-04-2002
Frequency-doubled laser installed at LNL and relative tests completed 31-08-2002
30 hours of data acquisition with frequency-doubled laser 31-12-2002

3. INFN contribution to the experiment in terms of manpower and financial support

4. Publications in refereed journals (in 2001): 2

5. Number of talks at conferences (in 2001):

6. Number of undergraduate and doctoral theses on the experiment:

7. Leadership roles in the experiment

8. Innovative instruments

9. Competing experiments

PVLAS is at the moment the only operating experiment in the world having direct access to low energy photon-photon scattering processes.

Main PVLAS technological leads:

10. International committee which has reviewed the experiment

PVLAS is annually reviewed by the INFN National Committee on non-accelerator particle physics