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Case for Axion Origin of Dark Matter Gains Traction
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Case for axion origin of dark matter gains traction [phys.org]:
June 26, 2020
Case for axion origin of dark matter gains traction
In a new study of axion motion, researchers propose a scenario known as "kinetic misalignment" that greatly strengthens the case for axion/dark matter equivalence. The novel concept answers key questions related to the origins of dark matter and provides new avenues for ongoing detection efforts. This work, published in Physical Review Letters, was conducted by researchers at the Institute for Advanced Study, University of Michigan, and UC Berkeley.
The existence of dark matter has been confirmed by several independent observations, but its true identity remains a mystery. According to this study, axion velocity provides a key insight into the dark matter puzzle. Previous research efforts have successfully accounted for the abundance of dark matter in the universe; however certain factors, such as the underproduction of axions with stronger ordinary matter interactions, remained unexplored.
By assigning a nonzero initial velocity to the axion field, the team discovered a mechanism—termed kinetic misalignment—producing far more axions in the early universe than conventional mechanisms. The motion, generated by breaking of the axion shift symmetry, significantly modifies the conventional computation of the axion dark matter abundance. Additionally, these dynamics allow axion dark matter to react more strongly with ordinary matter, exceeding the prediction of the conventional misalignment mechanism.
"The extensive literature on the axion was built upon the assumption that the axion field is initially static in the early universe," stated Keisuke Harigaya of the Institute for Advanced Study. "Instead, we discovered that the axion field may be initially dynamic as a consequence of theories of quantum gravity with axions."
Two members of the research team, Keisuke Harigaya and Raymond Co, previously explored the concept of axion dynamics in the study "Axiogenesis," which explained how the excess of matter over antimatter could be due to a nonzero initial velocity of the QCD axion field. This study also provided a framework for generating new insights into the questions surrounding dark matter.
"This new kinetic misalignment mechanism predicts an axion with a larger interaction strength and may be discovered in planned experimental searches," stated Raymond Co of the University of Michigan. "Our discovery of new axion dynamics thus opens up unexplored research avenues for theoretical and experimental particle physics and cosmology."
To date, the axion has proven incredibly versatile. The particle was originally proposed to solve the mystery of why neutrons do not interact with an electric field despite having charged constituents. Former IAS Professor Frank Wilczek, who coined the term axion, published his landmark findings in 1978 in Physical Review Letters while a Member of the Institute for Advanced Study's School of Natural Sciences.
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Paper sheds light on infant universe and origin of matter [phys.org]More information: Raymond T. Co et al. Axion Kinetic Misalignment Mechanism. Phys. Rev. Lett. 124, 251802 – Published 26 June 2020. DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.124.251802 [doi.org] , journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/ … ysRevLett.124.251802 [aps.org]Journal information:Physical Review Letters [phys.org] Provided by Institute for Advanced Study [phys.org]Citation: Case for axion origin of dark matter gains traction (2020, June 26) retrieved 26 June 2020 from https://phys.org/news/2020-06-case-axion-dark-gains-traction.html [phys.org] This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.
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Journal Reference:
Raymond T. Co, Lawrence J. Hall, Keisuke Harigaya. Axion Kinetic Misalignment Mechanism [open], Physical Review Letters (DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.124.251802 [doi.org])
