Chameleon vector bosons

Journal Article · Thu May 01 04:00:00 EDT 2008 · Physical Review. D, Particles Fields

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVD.77.095006· OSTI ID:21250147

Nelson, Ann E ^[1]; Walsh, Jonathan ^[1]

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1. Department of Physics, Box 1560, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195-1560 (United States)

We show that for a force mediated by a vector particle coupled to a conserved U(1) charge, the apparent range and strength can depend on the size and density of the source, and the proximity to other sources. This chameleon effect is due to screening from a light charged scalar. Such screening can weaken astrophysical constraints on new gauge bosons. As an example we consider the constraints on chameleonic gauged B-L. We show that although Casimir measurements greatly constrain any B-L force much stronger than gravity with range longer than 0.1 {mu}m, there remains an experimental window for a long-range chameleonic B-L force. Such a force could be much stronger than gravity, and long or infinite range in vacuum, but have an effective range near the surface of the earth which is less than a micron.

• OSTI ID: 21250147
• Journal Information: Physical Review. D, Particles Fields, Journal Name: Physical Review. D, Particles Fields Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 77; ISSN PRVDAQ; ISSN 0556-2821
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
ASTROPHYSICS
CASIMIR EFFECT
DENSITY
GRAVITATION
INTERMEDIATE VECTOR BOSONS
PARTICLES
SCREENING
SURFACES
U-1 GROUPS