Vacuum birefringence at x-ray free-electron lasers
Karbstein F, Sundqvist C, Schulze KS, Uschmann I, Gies H, Paulus GG (2021)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2021
Journal
Book Volume: 23
Article Number: 095001
Journal Issue: 9
Abstract
We study the perspectives of measuring the phenomenon of vacuum birefringence predicted by quantum electrodynamics using an x-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) alone. We devise an experimental scheme allowing two consecutive XFEL pulses to collide under a finite angle, and thus act as both pump and probe field for the effect. The signature of vacuum birefringence is encoded in polarization-flipped signal photons to be detected with high-purity x-ray polarimetry. Our findings for idealized scenarios underline that the discovery potential of solely XFEL-based setups can be comparable to those involving optical high-intensity lasers. For currently achievable scenarios, we identify several key details of the x-ray optical ingredients that exert a strong influence on the magnitude of the desired signatures.
Involved external institutions
Germany (DE)How to cite
APA:
Karbstein, F., Sundqvist, C., Schulze, K.S., Uschmann, I., Gies, H., & Paulus, G.G. (2021). Vacuum birefringence at x-ray free-electron lasers. New Journal of Physics, 23(9). https://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/ac1df4
MLA:
Karbstein, Felix, et al. "Vacuum birefringence at x-ray free-electron lasers." New Journal of Physics 23.9 (2021).
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