High-precision diamond X-ray polarimeters for the detection of vacuum birefringence

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The birefringence of the vacuum induced by a strong electromagnetic field is a fundamental consequence of quantum electrodynamics. Its detection will, therefore, substantiate the fundaments of quantum electrodynamics in so far inaccessible parameter regimes and might have the potential for the discovery of hypothetical unknown particles. This effect, which scales with the intensity of the applied field and the reciprocal of the wavelength, has so far eluded direct experimental detection. However, the inauguration of a high-power laser at the European XFEL and advances in high-precision x-ray polarimetry in the past three years have set the stage for detecting vacuum birefringence. Therefore, the goal of this project is to achieve experimental proof of vacuum birefringence. At the same time, various aspects of precision X-ray polarimetry are to be further developed in such a way that the beam time required for the detection of vacuum birefringence at the XFEL is reduced to a few hours or, equivalently, the precision of the measurement of vacuum birefringence is optimized.