Laboratory Tests of Chameleon Models

Abstract

We present a cursory overview of chameleon models of dark energy and their laboratory tests with an emphasis on optical and Casimir experiments. Optical experiments measuring the ellipticity of an initially polarised laser beam are sensitive to the coupling of chameleons to photons. The next generation of Casimir experiments may be able to unravel the nature of the scalar force mediated by the chameleon between parallel plates.

Contribution to the "5th Patras Workshop on Axions, WIMPs and WISPs", Durham 13-17 July 2009