Light Pseudoscalar Bosons, PVLAS and the Double Pulsar J0737-3039
arXiv:astro-ph/0612227 · doi:10.1016/j.nuclphysbps.2007.02.003
Abstract
Light Pseudoscalar Bosons (LPBs) coupled to two photons are predicted by many realistic extensions of the Standard Model and give rise to birefringence and dichroism in a light beam travelling in an external magnetic field. These effects have recently been detected by the PVLAS collaboration, thereby strongly suggesting the existence of a LPB. We provide an astrophysical cross-check for such a claim. Actually, we show that in the double pulsar J0737-3039 photon-LPB conversion can give rise to a characteristic attenuation pattern of the light beam emitted by one of the pulsars when it goes through the magnetosphere of the companion. The effect under consideration shows up in the -ray band and can be detected by the upcoming GLAST mission.
arXiv commentTalk given by M. R. at the "Neutrino Oscillation Workshop" (to appear in the Proceedings)
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