Effects of nearly massless, spin-zero particles on light propagation in a magnetic field

Very light or massless spin-zero particles coupled to two photons, such as axions or genuine Goldstone bosons, induce small changes in the polarization state of a laser beam travelling in a magnetic field. Severe bounds on mass and coupling can be obtained through the observation of changes in polarization plane and ellipticity of the beam, at the level of accuracy allowed by present technologies. A positive signal would determine mass, coupling and parity of this hypothetical particle. (orig.)