Search for weakly interacting sub-eV particles with the OSQAR laser-based experiment: results and perspectives

Abstract

Recent theoretical and experimental studies highlight the possibility of new fundamental particle physics beyond the Standard Model that can be probed by sub-eV energy experiments. The OSQAR photon regeneration experiment looks for “Light Shining through a Wall” from the quantum oscillation of optical photons into “Weakly Interacting Sub-eV Particles”, like axion or axion-like particles (ALPs), in a 9 T transverse magnetic field over the unprecedented length of $$2 \times 14.3$$ m. No excess of events has been detected over the background. The di-photon couplings of possible new light scalar and pseudo-scalar particles can be constrained in the massless limit to be less than $$8.0\times 10^{-8}$$ GeV $$^{-1}$$ . These results are very close to the most stringent laboratory constraints obtained for the coupling of ALPs to two photons. Plans for further improving the sensitivity of the OSQAR experiment are presented.