A Radio Astronomy Search for Cold Dark Matter Axions

Katharine Kelley; P. J. Quinn

doi:10.3847/2041-8213/aa808d

paper

A Radio Astronomy Search for Cold Dark Matter Axions

arXiv:1708.01399 · doi:10.3847/2041-8213/aa808d

Abstract

The search for axions has gained ground in recent years, with laboratory searches for cold dark matter (CDM) axions, relativistic solar axions and ultra-light axions the subject of extensive literature. In particular, the interest in axions as a CDM candidate has been motivated by its potential to account for all of the inferred value of $Ω_{D M} \sim 0.26$ in the standard $Λ C D M$ model. Indeed, the value of $Ω_{D M} \sim 0.26$ could be provided by a light axion. We investigate the possibility of complementing existing axion search experiments with radio telescope observations in an attempt to detect axion conversion in astrophysical magnetic fields. Searching for a CDM axion signal from a large-scale astrophysical environment provides new challenges, with the magnetic field structure playing a crucial role in both the rate of interaction and the properties of the observed photon. However, with a predicted frequency in the radio band (200MHz - 200GHz) and a distinguishable spectral profile, next generation radio telescopes may offer new opportunities for detection. The SKA-mid telescope has a planned frequency range of 0.4 - 13.8GHz with optimal sensitivity in the range $\sim$ 2 - 7 GHz. Considering observations at $\sim 500$ MHz, the limiting sensitivity is expected to be $\sim 0.04$ mK based on a 24 hour integration time. This compares with a predicted CDM axion all-sky signal temperature of $\sim 0.04$ mK using SKA Phase 1 telescopes and up to $\sim 1.17$ mK using a collecting area of (1km) $^{2}$ as planned for Phase 2.

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First results from a microwave cavity axion search at 24 micro-eV

A Radio Astronomy Search for Cold Dark Matter Axions

Abstract

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