Search for chameleons with CAST

In this work we present a search for (solar) chameleons with the CERN Axion Solar Telescope (CAST). This novel experimental technique, in the field of dark energy research, exploits both the chameleon coupling to matter ($β_{\rm m}$) and to photons ($β_γ$) via the Primakoff effect. By reducing the X-ray detection energy threshold used for axions from 1$\,$keV to 400$\,$eV CAST became sensitive to the converted solar chameleon spectrum which peaks around 600$\,$eV. Even though we have not observed any excess above background, we can provide a 95% C.L. limit for the coupling strength of chameleons to photons of $β_γ\!\lesssim\!10^{11}$ for $1<β_{\rm m}<10^6$.

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