DESYTODAY IT BEGINS!! The ALPS II experiment has begun taking data, looking for signs of the #darkmatter candidate particle, the axion. #lightupdarkmatter https://www.desy.de/news/news_search/index_eng.html?openDirectAnchor=2758&two_columns=0
ALPS works by sending laser light through strong magnetic fields, with a wall in the middle of the experiment. The setup is composed of recycled magnets from the decommissioned HERA experiment, as well as interferometers and extremely sensitive detectors.
According to theory, which has postulated the existence of the axion since 1977, the light in the magnetic field should transform into an axion—but only occasionally. If it does, the axion, which does not interact with normal matter, would go through the wall and become light again on the other side, giving the appearance that light had shone through the wall. https://youtu.be/qwbGDRTQG48
