Axion Searches at the CERN SPS: From Their Dawn to Current Prospects

This mini-review traces the evolution of axion searches at the CERN Super Proton Synchrotron (SPS), beginning with the early proposal by Guido Barbiellini in 1982 and culminating in the recent advances of the NA62 and NA64 experiments. We discuss the experimental strategies employed in early beam dump searches, the current status of axion and axion-like particle (ALPs) searches at the CERN SPS and future directions. This review serves as a tribute to Guido Barbiellini’s scientific legacy and his visionary contributions to this field.