On the observation of vacuum birefringence


On the observation of vacuum birefringence

Heinzl, T.; Liesfeld, B.; Amthor, K.; Schwoerer, H.; Sauerbrey, R.; Wipf, A.

We suggest an experiment to observe vacuum birefringence induced by intense laser fields. A high-intensity laser pulse is focused to ultra-relativistic intensity and polarizes the vacuum which then acts like a birefringent medium. The latter is probed by a linearly polarized X-ray pulse. We calculate the resulting ellipticity signal within strong-field QED assuming Gaussian beams. The laser technology required for detecting the signal will be available within the next three years.

  • Optics Communications 267(2006)2, 318-321

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Publ.-Id: 9640