Experimental Search for Solar Axions and Chameleons

这项提议的目的是确保我们参与到欧洲核子研究中心的轴子太阳望远镜实验中。CAST自2003年开始运行，并成功地将轴-光子耦合常数（轴子质量< 0.02 eV）的限制提高了6倍。去年，CAST使用的探测器得到了改进，与第二台x射线望远镜一起，这些改进使我们对轴子样粒子（ALPs）的灵敏度比以前的测量结果提高了4-5倍。最近，在CAST对基本粒子的搜索已经扩展到ALPs之外。此外，我们已经开始寻找变色龙，暗能量的候选粒子。变色龙的理论模型预测通过Primakoff效应的电磁耦合，以及与物质的直接耦合。寻找变色龙也被列入中国科协2015年的实验项目。本提案有两个研究目标。首先，我们希望通过操作x射线望远镜参与2015年太阳轴子的搜索，并参与CAST的一般操作。其次，在里雅斯特的INFN已经开发了一种新的寻找变色龙的探测器，并将于2015年在CAST进行测试。我们计划参与该探测器的安装、调试和运行。两个实验项目（寻找太阳轴子的扩展和寻找变色龙的扩展）都经过了欧洲核子研究中心SPSC委员会的审查，并于2014年10月获得批准。

The aim of this proposal is to ensure our participation in the CAST (CERN Axion Solar Telescope) experiment. CAST has been operating since 2003 and has successfully improved the limits for the axion-photon coupling constant (for axion masses < 0,02 eV) by a factor of 6 compared to prior axion helioscopes. Improvements of the detectors used at CAST have been implemented last year, and together with a second x-ray telescope, these improvements have increased our sensitivity for Axion-like particles (ALPs) by a factor of 4-5 as compared to our previous measurements.Recently, the search for elementary particles at CAST has been extended beyond ALPs. In addition, we have started to look for Chameleons, candidate particles for dark energy. The theoretical model for Chameleons predicts electromagnetic coupling via the Primakoff effect, as well as a direct coupling to matter. The search for chameleons is also included in the experimental program of CAST for 2015.This proposal has two research goals. First, we want to participate in the search for solar axions in 2015 by operating the x-ray telescope and taking part in the general operation of CAST. Secondly, a new detector to search for Chameleons has been developed at the INFN in Trieste and will be tested at CAST in 2015. We plan to take part in the installation, commissioning, and operation of this detector.Both experimental programs (the extension of the search for solar axions as well as the search for chameleons) have been reviewed by the SPSC committee at CERN and have been approved in October 2014.