paper

Revisiting longitudinal plasmon-axion conversion in external magnetic fields

arXiv:2005.00078 · doi:10.1103/PhysRevD.101.123004

Abstract

In the presence of an external magnetic field the axion and the photon mix. In particular, the dispersion relation of a longitudinal plasmon always crosses the dispersion relation of the axion (for small axion masses), thus leading to a resonant conversion. Using thermal field theory we concisely derive the axion emission rate, applying it to astrophysical and laboratory scenarios. For the Sun, depending on the magnetic field profile plasmon-axion conversion can dominate over Primakoff production at low energies (eV). This both provides a new axion source for future helioscopes and, in the event of discovery, would probe the magnetic field structure of the Sun. In the case of white dwarfs (WDs), plasmon-axion conversion provides a pure photon coupling probe of the axion, which may contribute significantly for low-mass WDs. Finally we rederive and confirm the axion absorption rate of the recently proposed plasma haloscopes.

Matches published version. 14 pages, 8 figures

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