Cosmic implications of a low-scale solution to the axion domain wall problem

Abstract

The post-inflationary breaking of Peccei-Quinn (PQ) symmetry can lead to the cosmic domain wall catastrophe. In this Letter we show how to avoid domain walls implementing the Instanton Interference Effect (IIE) with a new interaction which itself breaks PQ symmetry and confines at an energy scale smaller than ${\Lambda }_{QCD}$. We give a general description of the mechanism and consider its cosmological implications and constraints within a minimal model. Contrary to other mechanisms we do not require an inverse phase transition neither fine-tuned bias terms. Incidentally, the mechanism leads to the introduction of new self-interacting dark matter candidates and the possibility of producing gravitational waves in the frequency range of SKA. Unless a fine-tuned hidden sector is introduced, the mechanism predicts a QCD axion in the mass range $1\text{ meV}-15\text{ meV}$.

12 pages, 4 figures; matches published version

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• Ruling out light axions: the writing is on the wall
• Axion minivoids and implications for direct detection
• String monopoles, string walls, vortex-skyrmions and nexus objects in polar distorted B-phase of ${}^3$He
• Gravitational Wave Signals from Multiple Hidden Sectors
• The Flavor of QCD Axion Dark Matter
• S.M.A.S.H.E.D.: Standard Model Axion Seesaw Higgs Inflation Extended for Dirac Neutrinos
• One dimensional nexus objects, network of Kibble-Lazarides-Shafi string walls, and their spin dynamic response in polar distorted B-phase of ${}^3$He
• A Dynamical Solution to the Axion Domain Wall Problem
• Classification of three-family flavoured DFSZ axion models that have no domain wall problem
• Strong Dark Matter Self-Interaction from a Stable Scalar Mediator
• Imperfect Axion Precludes the Domain Wall Problem
• Resolving the QCD Axion Domain Wall Problem with a Light Axion
• Using $\Delta N_{\mathrm{eff}}$ to constrain preferred axion model dark matter
• Exploring the viability of pseudo Nambu-Goldstone boson as ultralight dark matter in a mass range relevant for strong gravity applications
• Axion Dark Matter Archaeology with Primordial Gravitational Waves
• Cosmology of the companion-axion model: dark matter, gravitational waves, and primordial black holes
• Fibration, Nexus and Cosmological Composite Topological Defects in Uniaxially Disordered Superfluid ${}^3$He
• Kination cosmology from scalar fields and gravitational-wave signatures