On the observation of vacuum birefringence
Jan, 2006
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Abstract:
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.Note:
- 4 pages, 4 figures
- 42.60.-v
- 42.50.Xa
- 12.20.-m
- birefringence
- laser: beam
- vacuum polarization
- quantum electrodynamics: strong field
- proposed experiment
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