Axion production and detection with superconducting rf cavities

We propose a novel design of a laboratory search for axions based on photon regeneration with superconducting rf cavities. Our particular setup uses a toroid as a region of confined static magnetic field, while production and detection cavities are positioned in regions of vanishing external field. This permits cavity operation at quality factors of Q similar to 10(10)-10(12). The limitations due to fundamental issues such as signal screening and backreaction are discussed, and the optimal sensitivity is calculated. This experimental design can potentially probe axion-photon couplings beyond astrophysical limits, comparable and complementary to next generation optical experiments.