Constraints on chameleons and axion-like particles from the GammeV experiment

Abstract

We present the most recent results of both aspects of the GammeV experiment. The first aspect is a search for axion-like particles using a variable baseline, "light-shining-through-a-wall" technique. This search excludes the particle interpretation of the PVLAS signal with high confidence. The second aspect of the GammeV experiment is a search for chameleon particles, scalar particles which may be responsible for the dark energy of the universe. This is accomplished by looking for a characteristic afterglow signature from a "particle-in-a-jar" experiment whereby chameleon particles become trapped in a region with a high magnetic field and slowly decay into detectable photons. This is the first use of this experimental technique to probe for these particles. We place interesting limits on a limited range of general chameleon models. These limits are complimentary to other experiments, such as torsion pendulum experiments, which probe for forces that would result from new scalar particles.