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X-Ray Searches for Axions from Super Star Clusters
Christopher Dessert1,2,3, Joshua W Foster1,2,3, Benjamin R Safdi1,2,3
1Leinweber Center for Theoretical Physics, Department of Physics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA.
Physical Review Letters
|January 15, 2021
Summary
This study searched for axions, hypothetical particles, by analyzing X-ray emissions from super star clusters. No evidence of axions was found, setting new limits on their properties.
Area of Science:
- * Particle astrophysics
- * High-energy astrophysics
- * Cosmology
Background:
- * Axions are hypothetical particles proposed to solve problems in particle physics and cosmology.
- * Stellar cores are potential sites for axion production.
- * Axions can convert into X-rays in strong magnetic fields, offering an observational window.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To search for evidence of axion production and decay in nearby super star clusters.
- * To constrain the axion-photon coupling and axion mass using X-ray observations.
Main Methods:
- * Utilized Galactic magnetic field models to predict X-ray flux from axion decay.
- * Analyzed archival data from the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) in the 10-80 keV range.
- * Focused on the Quintuplet and Westerlund 1 super star clusters, known for hosting Wolf-Rayet stars.
Main Results:
- * No significant excess X-ray flux attributable to axions was detected.
- * Constrained the axion-photon coupling to g_{aγγ}≲3.6×10^{-12} GeV^{-1}.
- * Constrained the axion mass to m_{a}≲5×10^{-11} eV at 95% confidence.
Conclusions:
- * The current observational data do not support the presence of axions produced in stellar cores and converting to X-rays.
- * This study provides stringent new limits on the properties of axions, particularly their coupling strength and mass.
- * Further observations and improved models may be needed to probe lower axion mass ranges.
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