In situ axion generation and detection in laser-driven wakefields

Abstract: We propose a laser-plasma wakefield based schemes for in situ axion generation and detection through the Primakoff process. Strong electromagnetic fields ($\gtrsim 10<sup>{9}\,$V/cm) in the wakefield enhance axion production rates by orders of magnitude compared to conventional light-shining-through-wall (LSW) experiments. By replacing the axion generation stage with laser-wakefield interaction, one can achieve the axion-photon coupling constraints to the level of $$g_{a\gamma\gamma}\sim 10<sup>{-12}\,\text{GeV}<sup>{-1}$$. Besides, the generated axions can convert back into photons in the background field, leading to axion-regenerated electromagnetic fields (AREM) with unique polarization, frequency, and transverse distribution properties. This allows for effective filtering of the AREM from the background field, enhancing signal-to-noise ratios. This approach establishes plasma wakefields as a promising platform for laboratory axion searches.