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Transient Radio Signatures from Neutron Star Encounters with QCD Axion Miniclusters
Thomas D P Edwards1,2, Bradley J Kavanagh2,3, Luca Visinelli2,4
1The Oskar Klein Centre for Cosmoparticle Physics, AlbaNova University Center, Roslagstullsbacken 21, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden.
Abstract:
The QCD axion is expected to form dense structures known as axion miniclusters if the Peccei-Quinn symmetry is broken after inflation. Miniclusters that have survived until today will interact with neutron stars (NSs) in the Milky Way to produce transient radio signals from axion-photon conversion in the NS magnetosphere. We quantify the properties of these encounters and find that they occur frequently [O(1-100)day^{-1}], last between a day and a few months, are spatially clustered toward the Galactic Center, and can reach observable fluxes. These radio transients are within reach of current generation telescopes and therefore offer a promising pathway to discovering QCD axion dark matter.
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