Josef Zicha

Results from the OSQAR photon-regeneration experiment : No light shining through a wall

A new method to amplify the photon-axion conversions in a magnetic field is proposed using a buffer gas at a specific pressure in a photon-regeneration experiment. As a first result, new bounds for mass and coupling constant for laboratory experiments aiming to detect any hypothetical scalars and pseudoscalars, which can couple to photons were obtained, excluding with 95% confidence level, the recently withdrawn PVLAS result.

Feasibility study of an experiment to measure the vacuum magnetic birefringence

The use of a recently decommissioned 15-meters long twin aperture LHC supercon-ducting magnet prototype having a transverse magnetic fieldB ≈ 9.5 T provides the unique opportunity for the construction of a new powerful experiment to measure the Vacuum Magnetic Birefringence (VMB). The values or the limit values of the mass and of the coupling constant to two photons of possible dark matter candidates such as axions are aimed to be deduced from such an experiment. In this article, the technical feasibility study of a new setup to measure the VMB will be presented. It is based on a linear optical resonant cavity house in the LHC superconducting dipole prototype. The mechanical integrations of the optical components inside the magnet aperture as well as the optical detection principles will be presented. A comparison of the expected performances with respect to the present reference results for this type of experiment will also be given.

Simulation, Measurement and Spectral Analysis of Night Sky Light Background

Spectral measurements of the night sky provide important information about natural light sources and light pollution. Analysis of spectral data enables identification of interesting events occurring in the atmosphere. We describe the used method and the technical solution, as well as first obtained results. Photometric and spectral simulations of the night sky light were performed under laboratory conditions. The results were compared with measured data of the whole night sky with respect to location and timing. The outdoor measurements provided spectroscopic data for examining the light pollution and night sky light background.

APPLICATION OF CHROMATIC MONITORING AS A PLASMA DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUE

This paper describes the application of chromatic monitoring of both laboratory and industrial plasmas. The light emitted from the nitrogen plasma generated in the different plasma sources was measured with an imaging spectrograph. The emission spectra were reduced to data points representing the chromatic coordinates of these spectra. The data compression makes this method attractive for monitoring plasma parameter changes. The aim of this work was to test the possibility of application of chromatic monitoring for plasma processing.

Development of large aperture composite adaptive optics

Large aperture composite adaptive optics for laser applications is investigated in cooperation of Institute of Plasma Physic, Department of Instrumentation and Control Engineering FME CTU and 5M Ltd. We are exploring opportunity of a large-size high-power-laser deformable-mirror production using a lightweight bimorph actuated structure with a composite core. In order to produce a sufficiently large operational free aperture we are developing new technologies for production of flexible core, bimorph actuator and deformable mirror reflector. Full simulation of a deformable-mirrors structure was prepared and validated by complex testing. A deformable mirror actuation and a response of a complicated structure are investigated for an accurate control of the adaptive optics. An original adaptive optics control system and a bimorph deformable mirror driver were developed. Tests of material samples, components and sub-assemblies were completed. A subscale 120 mm bimorph deformable mirror prototype was designed, fabricated and thoroughly tested. A large-size 300 mm composite-core bimorph deformable mirror was simulated and optimized, fabrication of a prototype is carried on. A measurement and testing facility is modified to accommodate large sizes optics.

Recent progress in opto-mechanical design of cavity developed for the OSQAR experiment

Two optical methods are used in the laser-based experiment OSQAR at CERN for the search of axions and axion-like particles. The first method looks as light shining through the wall. The second one wants to measure the ultra-fine vacuum magnetic birefringence. Both methods have reached its attainable limits of sensitivity. Present work is focused on increasing the number of photons and their endurance time within the magnetic field using a laser cavity. Presented paper covers recent state of development of a prototype of a 1 meter long laser cavity which is the prerequisite of further development of the experiment.