New Limits on Ultralight Axionlike Dark Matter from Reanalyzed Data.

Area of Science:

• * Particle Physics
• * Astrophysics
• * Cosmology

Background:

• * Axions are hypothetical elementary particles that could solve the strong CP problem in quantum chromodynamics.
• * Previous axion detection efforts relied on astrophysical observations or laboratory experiments with limited sensitivity at low masses.
• * Lorentz and CPT symmetry violations are sensitive probes for new physics, including axion interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To establish new laboratory-derived limits on axion-nucleon coupling.
• * To constrain axion properties in the mass range 10⁻²⁴ eV to 5×10⁻²¹ eV.
• * To explore the potential of laboratory measurements to exceed astrophysical limits.

Main Methods:

• * Reanalysis of existing laboratory data concerning Lorentz and CPT symmetry violations.
• * Consideration of the local phase of the axion field for ultralow axion masses.
• * Application of these methods to derive constraints on axion-nucleon coupling.

Main Results:

• * New laboratory constraints on axion-nucleon coupling for axion masses below 10⁻²² eV.
• * For masses 10⁻²² eV to 5×10⁻²¹ eV, limits are improved by over three orders of magnitude, surpassing supernova SN1987A cooling limits.
• * Constraints for quadratic wind coupling exceed current best results by two orders of magnitude.

Conclusions:

• * The study provides the first laboratory constraints for axions with masses below 10⁻²² eV.
• * Laboratory measurements now offer stronger constraints than astrophysical data for certain axion mass ranges.
• * The derived limits are comparable to those expected from future experiments like those at the European Spallation Source.