The search for axions

The axion is a light pseudoscalar particle predicted to exist as a consequence of the Peccei–Quinn solution to the strong-CP problem. Its abundant production in the early Universe along with its stability and insignificant interaction cross-section make it a prime dark matter candidate. This report summarises the search for dark matter axions using resonant microwave cavities as well as searches for axions produced in the Sun and in the laboratory. All of these current experiments focus on the axion–photon interaction, as coherent axion–photon mixing in strong magnetic fields of large spatial extent can make up for the extraordinary weakness of the the coupling of axions to photons.     

Orthopositronium decay into axions

We point out that if the mass of the hypothetical particle called the axion is less than 2m_e, then it can be emitted in the decay of orthopositronium. The lifetime of the decay 1³S₁ → γh is calculated to be about 8 s. We suggest an experiment to look for “single” photons from positronium annihilation. An accurate measurement of the energy E_γ of these photons gives the mass of the axion through the relation m²_axion = 4m_e(m_e ? E_γ).     

Constraints on light axions

Constraints on light axions are derived using data from nuclear decays and stability of red giant stars. Special emphasis is given to the implications on the model proposed by Dine, Fischler and Srednicki.     

Harmless axions in superstring theories

We explore the possibility of obtaining an axion in superstring theories whose decay constant lies in a phenomenologically acceptable range. We find in agreement with Choi and Kim that this is not possible in SO(32) theories. However, we find that it appears to be possible in the E₈ × E′₈ heterotic string theory.     

Cosmic axions from cosmic strings

The possibility of a new constraint on the Peccei-Quinn symmetry breaking scale, arising from the decay of cosmic axion strings, is discussed.     

Experimental search for solar axions

A new technique has been used to search for solar axions using a single crystal germanium detector. It exploits the coherent conversion of axions into photons when their angle of incidence satisfies a Bragg condition with a crystalline plane. The analysis of approximately 1.94 kg.yr of data from the 1 kg DEMOS detector in Sierra Grande, Argentina, yields a new laboratory bound on axion-photon coupling of g_αγγ < 2.7 × 10⁻⁹GeV⁻¹, independent of axion mass up to 1 keV.     

A new detector scheme for axions

The coupling of axion to electron in atomic and molecular M1 or O⁻ transitions is proposed to be used for the axion production by using a powerful maser/laser device. For their detection a resonance cavity tuned on the same frequency might well improve drastically the overall sensitivity.     

Search for solar axions with mass around 1 eV using coherent conversion of axions into photons

A search for solar axions has been performed using an axion helioscope which is equipped with a 2.3-m long 4 T superconducting magnet, a gas container to hold dispersion-matching gas, PIN-photodiode X-ray detectors, and a telescope mount mechanism to track the sun. A mass region around ma=1 eV$m_a=1\text{eV}$ was newly explored. From the absence of any evidence, analysis sets a limit on axion–photon coupling constant to be g_aγγ<5.6–13.4×¹⁰⁻¹⁰ GeV⁻¹$g_{a\gamma \gamma }<5.6\text{–}13.4\times {10}^{\mathrm{-10}}{\text{GeV}}^{\mathrm{-1}}$ for the axion mass of 0.84<ma<1.00 eV$0.84<m_a<1.00\text{eV}$ at 95% confidence level. It is the first result to search for the axion in the g_aγγ–ma$g_{a\gamma \gamma }\text{–}{m}_a$ parameter region of the preferred axion models with a magnetic helioscope.     

Cosmology with light axions from technicolor

We consider cosmological consequences of the spontaneous breaking of a global symmetry that is anomalous under technicolor interactions, leading to the emergence of a light axion-like particle. Avoiding overclosure of the universe by such axions yields the upper bound fa?¹⁰¹⁰ GeV$f_a?{10}^{10}\text{GeV}$ on the symmetry breaking scale, corresponding to keV-scale axions. However, diffuse X-ray background data typically require larger values of fa$f_a$. The overclosure and X-ray bounds can be reconciled if the axion initial amplitude of oscillations Ai∼fa/10$A_i\sim f_a/10$. In this case, a viable axionic dark matter candidate with a mass in the 50–100 eV range emerges. The detection of this type of dark matter may pose a challenge.     

Detecting solar axions using Earth's magnetic field

We show that solar axion conversion to photons in the Earth's magnetosphere can produce an x-ray flux, with average energy omega approximately 4 keV, which is measurable on the dark side of the Earth. The smallness of the Earth's magnetic field is compensated by a large magnetized volume. For axion masses m(a) less, similar10(-4) eV, a low-Earth-orbit x-ray detector with an effective area of 10(4) cm(2), pointed at the solar core, can probe the photon-axion coupling down to 10(-11) GeV-1, in 1 yr. Thus, the sensitivity of this new approach will be an order of magnitude beyond current laboratory limits.     

Production of axions by cosmic magnetic helicity

We investigate the effects of an external magnetic helicity production on the evolution of the cosmic axion field. It is shown that a helicity larger than (few x 10(-15) G)2 Mpc, if produced at temperatures above a few GeV, is in contradiction with the existence of the axion, since it would produce too much of an axion relic abundance.     

Neutrinos,axions and conformal symmetry

We demonstrate that radiative breaking of conformal symmetry (and simultaneously electroweak symmetry) in the standard model with right-chiral neutrinos and a minimally enlarged scalar sector induces spontaneous breaking of lepton number symmetry, which naturally gives rise to an axion-like particle with some unusual features. The couplings of this ‘axion’ to standard model particles, in particular photons and gluons, are entirely determined (and computable) via the conformal anomaly, and their smallness turns out to be directly related to the smallness of the masses of the light neutrinos.     

Cosmological imprints of string axions in plateau

We initiate a study on various cosmological imprints of string axions whose scalar potentials have plateau regions. In such cases, we show that a delayed onset of oscillation rather generically leads to a parametric resonance instability. In particular, for ultralight axions, the parametric resonance can enhance the power spectrum slightly below the Jeans scale, alleviating the tension with the Lyman \(\alpha \) forest observations. We also argue that a sustainable resonance can lead to an emission of gravitational waves at the frequency bands which are detectable by gravitational wave interferometers and pulsar timing arrays and also to a succeeding oscillon formation.