Abstract
Quantum field theory predicts a nonlinear response of the vacuum to strong electromagnetic fields of macroscopic
extent. This fundamental tenet has remained experimentally challenging and is yet to be tested in the laboratory. A
particularly distinct signature of the resulting optical activity of the quantum vacuum is vacuum birefringence. This
offers an excellent opportunity for a precision test of nonlinear quantum electrodynamics in an uncharted parameter
regime. Recently, the operation of the high-intensity Relativistic Laser at the X-ray Free Electron Laser provided by
the Helmholtz International Beamline for Extreme Fields has been inaugurated at the High Energy Density scientific
instrument of the European X-ray Free Electron Laser. We make the case that this worldwide unique combination of an
X-ray free-electron laser and an ultra-intense near-infrared laser together with recent advances in high-precision X-ray
polarimetry, refinements of prospective discovery scenarios and progress in their accurate theoretical modelling have set
the stage for performing an actual discovery experiment of quantum vacuum nonlinearity.
extent. This fundamental tenet has remained experimentally challenging and is yet to be tested in the laboratory. A
particularly distinct signature of the resulting optical activity of the quantum vacuum is vacuum birefringence. This
offers an excellent opportunity for a precision test of nonlinear quantum electrodynamics in an uncharted parameter
regime. Recently, the operation of the high-intensity Relativistic Laser at the X-ray Free Electron Laser provided by
the Helmholtz International Beamline for Extreme Fields has been inaugurated at the High Energy Density scientific
instrument of the European X-ray Free Electron Laser. We make the case that this worldwide unique combination of an
X-ray free-electron laser and an ultra-intense near-infrared laser together with recent advances in high-precision X-ray
polarimetry, refinements of prospective discovery scenarios and progress in their accurate theoretical modelling have set
the stage for performing an actual discovery experiment of quantum vacuum nonlinearity.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | e7 |
| Pages (from-to) | e7 |
| Number of pages | 31 |
| Journal | High Power Laser Science and Engineering |
| Volume | 13 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 12 Mar 2025 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
- Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
- Nuclear and High Energy Physics
- Nuclear Energy and Engineering
Keywords
- light-by-light scattering
- vacuum birefringence
- vacuum polarization