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Neutron Interferometry and axion like particles

Profile image of Salvatore Marco GiampaoloSalvatore Marco Giampaolo

2021

Abstract

We propose a method to reveal axions and axion–like particles based on interferometric measurement of neutron beams. We consider an interferometer in which the neutron beam is split in two sub–beams propagating in regions with differently oriented magnetic fields. The beam paths and the strength of the magnetic fields are set in such a way that all the contributions to the phase difference but the one due to axion–induced interactions are removed. The resulting phase difference is directly related to the presence of axions. Our results show that such a phase is in principle detectable with neutron interferometry, possibly proving the existence of axions and axion–like particles.

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