Axion search via Coulomb-assisted quantum vacuum birefringence

We study the impact of axions or axion-like particles on birefringent (i.e., polarization changing) scattering of x-ray photons at the Coulomb field of nuclei superimposed by optical lasers of ultra-high intensity. Applying the specifications of the Helmholtz International Beamline for Extreme Fields (HIBEF), we find that this set-up can be more sensitive than previous experiments such as PVLAS in a large domain of parameter space. Furthermore, by changing the pump and probe laser orientations and frequencies, one can scan different axion masses.