paper

First Constraints on the Photon Coupling of Axion-like Particles from Multimessenger Studies of the Neutron Star Merger GW170817

arXiv:2305.01002 · doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.132.101003

Abstract

We use multimessenger observations of the neutron star merger event GW170817 to derive new constraints on axion-like particles (ALPs) coupling to photons. ALPs are produced via Primakoff and photon coalescence processes in the merger, escape the remnant and decay back into two photons, giving rise to a photon signal approximately along the line-of-sight to the merger. We analyze the spectral and temporal information of the ALP-induced photon signal, and use the Fermi-LAT observations of GW170817 to derive our new ALP constraints. We also show the improved prospects with future MeV gamma-ray missions, taking the spectral and temporal coverage of Fermi-LAT as an example.

arXiv comment8+8 pages, 4+5 figures, some updates and minor changes, version to appear in PRL

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