We discuss the idea that the model-independent (MI) axion of string theory is the source of quintessential dark energy. The scenario is completed with a composite QCD axion from hidden sector squark condensation that could serve as dark matter candidate. The mechanism relies on the fact that the hidden sector anomaly contribution to the composite axion is much smaller than the QCD anomaly term. This intuitively surprising scenario is based on the fact that below the hidden sector scale $Λ_h$ there are many light hidden sector quarks. Simply, by counting engineering dimensions the hidden sector instanton potential can be made negligible compared to the QCD anomaly term.
Cosmological evolution of axionic string network is analyzed in terms of field-theoretic simulations in a box of 512^3 grids, which are the largest ever, using a new and more efficient identification scheme of global strings. The scaling parameter is found to be ξ=0.87 +- 0.14 in agreement with previous results. The energy spectrum is calculated precisely using a pseudo power spectrum estimator which significantly reduces the error in the mean reciprocal comoving momentum. The resultant constraint on the axion decay constant leads to f_a <= 3*10^11 GeV. We also discuss implications for the ear…
In the framework of axionic extension of the Einstein-aether theory we establish the model, which describes a stiff regulation of the behavior of axionic dark matter by the dynamic aether. The aether realizes this procedure via the modified Higgs potential, designed for modeling of nonlinear self-interaction of pseudoscalar (axion) field; the modification of this potential is that its minima are not fixed, and their positions and depths depend now on the square of the covariant derivative of the aether velocity four-vector. Exact solutions to the master equations, modified correspondingly, are…
Ultralight axion like particles (ALPs) of mass $m_a\in (10^{-21}\rm{eV}-10^{-22}\rm{eV})$ with axion decay constant $f_a\sim 10^{17}\rm{GeV}$ can be candidates for fuzzy dark matter (FDM). If celestial bodies like Earth and Sun are immersed in a low mass axionic FDM potential and if the ALPs have coupling with nucleons then the coherent oscillation of the axionic field results a long range axion hair outside of the celestial bodies. The range of the axion mediated Yukawa type fifth force is determined by the distance between the Earth and the Sun which fixes the upper bound of the mass of axio…
Axions seem ubiquitous in string theories and some of them may be produced non-thermally by heavy scalar decays, contributing to dark radiation. We study various cosmological effects of photons produced from the axionic dark radiation through axion-photon conversion in the presence of primordial magnetic fields, and derive tight constraints on the combination of the axion-photon coupling and the primordial magnetic field.
We study the axionic inflation with a modulated potential and examine if the primordial tensor power spectrum exhibits oscillatory feature, which is testable with future space-based gravitational wave experiments such as DECIGO and BBO. In the case of the single-field axion monodromy inflation, it turns out that it is difficult to detect the oscillation in the spectrum due to suppression of the sub-Planckian decay constant of axion. On the other hand, in the case of aligned chromo-natural inflation where the axion is coupled to a SU(2) gauge field, it turns out that the sizable oscillation in …
The QCD axion with $f_a$ at an intermediate scale, 10**9-10**12 GeV, seems in conflict with the gravity spoil of global symmetries and may face the axionic domain wall problem. We point out that the string compactifications with an anomalous U(1) gauge symmetry, allowing desirable chiral matter spectra, circumvent these two problems simultaneously.
We consider an axionic dark matter model with a modified periodic potential for the pseudoscalar field in the framework of the axionic extension of the Einstein-aether theory. The modified potential is assumed to be equipped by the guiding function, which depends on the expansion scalar constructed as the trace of the covariant derivative of the aether velocity four-vector. The equilibrium state of the axion field is defined as the state, for which the modified potential itself and its first derivative with respect to the pseudoscalar field are equal to zero. We apply the developed formalism t…
In the framework of the Einstein-Maxwell-axion-aether theory we establish the model, the Lagrangian of which contains the sin-type generalization of the term describing the axion-photon coupling, and the axionically induced cosine-type modification of the term attributed to the dilaton-photon interactions. The extension of the axion-dilaton-aether electrodynamics is inspired by the Jackson's idea concerning the internal symmetry of the equations of electromagnetism. The application of the extended theory to the anisotropic homogeneous cosmological model of the Bianchi-I type is considered. The…
We establish a nonlinear version of the SU(N) symmetric theory, which describes self-consistently the interaction between the gravitational, gauge, vector and pseudoscalar (axion) fields. In the context of this theory the SU(N) symmetric multiplet of vector fields is associated with the color aether, the decay of which in the early Universe produced the canonic dynamic aether and the axionic dark matter. The SU(N) symmetric Yang-Mills field, associated with the color aether, forms the source, which transfers the energy of the decaying color aether to the axion field. The nonlinear modification…
It is shown that Starobinsky-like potentials can be realized in non-geometric flux compactifications of string theory, where the inflaton involves an axion whose shift symmetry can protect UV-corrections to the scalar potential. For that purpose we evaluate the backreacted, uplifted F-term axion-monodromy potential, which interpolates between a quadratic and a Starobinsky-like form. Limitations due to the requirements of having a controlled approximation of the UV theory and of realizing single-field inflation are discussed.
We study a new model of quintessential inflation which is inspired by supergravity and string theory. The model features a kinetic pole, which gives rise to the inflationary plateau, and a runaway quintessential tail. We envisage a coupling between the inflaton and the Peccei-Quinn (PQ) field which terminates the roll of the runaway inflaton and traps the latter at an enhanced symmetry point (ESP), thereby breaking the PQ symmetry. The kinetic density of the inflaton is transferred to the newly created thermal bath of the hot big bang due to the decay of PQ particles. The model successfully ac…
We study the photon axion mixing in the presence of large extra dimensions. The eigenvalues and eigenstates of the mixing matrix are analyzed and we establish the resonance condition for the total conversion of a high energy photon into a Kaluza-Klein (KK) axion state. This resonant transition, a photon transformed into a KK axion travelling freely through the bulk and converting back into a photon, may provide a plausible explanation for the transparency of the universe to energetic photons. If the brane we live in is curved, then there are shortcuts through the bulk, which the axion can take…
We propose an axionic QCD string scenario based on the original flux-tube model by Kogut and Susskind, and then incorporate it into a gauged Nambu-Jona-Lasinio (NJL) model. Axial anomaly is studied by a new topological coupling from the string side, and by the 't Hooft vortex from the NJL side, respectively. The nontrivial phase distribution of the quark condensate plays an important role in this scenario.
In the framework of Einstein-Maxwell-axion theory we consider a static field configuration in the outer zone of a magnetic star. We assume that this field configuration is formed by the following interacting quartet: a spherically symmetric gravitational field of the Reissner-Nordström type, pseudoscalar field, associated with an axionic dark matter, strong intrinsic magnetic field, and axionically induced electric field. Based on the analysis of the solutions to the master equations of the model, we show that the structure of the formed field configuration reveals the following triple effect.…
We study the possibility of explaining the late time acceleration with an axion field which is coupled with the dark matter sector of the energy budget of the Universe. The axion field arises from the Ramond-Ramond sector of the Type-IIB string theory. We study the background evolution of the Universe as well as the growth of the matter perturbation in the linear regime. We subsequently use the observational data from Sn-Ia, BAO measurements, measurements of the Hubble parameter as well as the observational data for the growth of the matter perturbation to constrain our model. Our results show…
The nature of dark matter is one of the longest-standing puzzles in science. Axions or axion-like particles are a key possibility, and arise in mechanisms to solve the strong CP problem but also in low-energy limits of string theory. Extensive experimental and observational efforts are actively looking for `axionic' imprints. Independently on their nature, their abundance, and on their contribution to the dark matter problem, axions form dense clouds around spinning black holes, grown by superradiant mechanisms. It was recently suggested that once couplings to photons are considered, an expone…
The coupling between scalar and vector fields has a long and interesting history. Axions are one key possibility to solve the strong CP problem and axion-like particles could be one solution to the dark matter puzzle. Given the nature of the coupling, and the universality of free fall, nontrivial important effects are expected in regions where gravity is strong. Here, we show that i. A background EM field induces an axionic instability in flat space, for large enough electric fields. Conversely, a homogeneous harmonic axion field induces an instability in the Maxwell sector. When carried over …
We find neutral and charged black branes solutions with axion fields in the context of a conformally coupled gravitational theory in four dimensions. These solutions describe AdS black branes supported by axion fields that break translational invariance at the boundary, providing for momentum dissipation. The conformally coupled scalar field is regular inside and outside the event horizon and there is no need of any self-interaction, obtaining in this way solutions without fine-tuned parameters. We analyze the thermodynamics of our solutions considering the effects of the axion charges and it …
The theory of massive photons in the presence of axions is studied as the effective theory describing the electromagnetic response of semimetals when a particular quartic fermionic pairing perturbation triggers the formation of charged chiral condensates, giving rise to an axionic superconductor. We investigate corrections to the Yukawa-like potential mediated by massive photons due to axion excitations up to one-loop order and compute the modifications of the London penetration length.
We consider the magnetic monopole in the axionic dark matter environment (axionic dyon) in the framework of the Reissner - Nordström - de Sitter model. Our aim is to study the distribution of the pseudoscalar (axion) and electric fields near the so-called folds, which are characterized by the profiles with the central minimum, the barrier on the left, and the maximum on the right of this minimum. The electric field in the fold-like zones is shown to change the sign twice, i.e., the electric structure of the near zone of the axionic dyon contains the domain similar to a double electric layer. W…
A general scheme for axion electrodynamics is given, in which a surrounding medium of constant permittivity and permeability is assumed. Then, as an application we give simple numerical estimates for the electromagnetic current density produced by the electrically neutral time-dependent axions $a=a(t)$ in a strong magnetic field. As is known, the assumption $a=a(t)$ is common under astrophysical conditions. In the third part of the paper, we consider the implications by assuming instead an axion amplitude $a(z)$ depending on one coordinate $z$ only. If such an axion field is contained within t…
In this work, we study the quantum entanglement and compute entanglement entropy in de Sitter space for a bipartite quantum field theory driven by axion originating from ${\bf Type~ IIB}$ string compactification on a Calabi Yau three fold (${\bf CY^3}$) and in presence of ${\bf NS5}$ brane. For this compuation, we consider a spherical surface ${\bf S}^2$, which divide the spatial slice of de Sitter (${\bf dS_4}$) into exterior and interior sub regions. We also consider the initial choice of vaccum to be Bunch Davies state. First we derive the solution of the wave function of axion in a hyperbo…
In a recent paper we have shown that a minimally coupled, self-interacting scalar field of mass $m$ can form black holes of mass $M=\sqrt{3}/(4m)$ (in Planck units). If dark matter is composed by axions, they can form miniclusters that for QCD axions have masses below this value. In this work it is shown that for a scenario in which the axion mass depends on the temperature as $m \propto T^{-6}$, minicluster masses above $0.32\,M_\odot$, corresponding to an axion mass of $3\times 10^{-10}$ eV, exceed $M$ and can collapse into black holes. If a fraction of these black holes is in binary systems…
We construct and analyse Kerr black holes (BHs) with synchronised axionic hair. These are the BH generalisations of the recently constructed rotating axion boson stars arXiv:2005.05982. Such BHs are stationary, axially symmetric, asymptotically flat solutions of the complex Einstein-Klein-Gordon theory with a QCD axion-like potential. They are regular everywhere on and outside the event horizon. The potential is characterised by two parameters: the mass of the axion-like particle, $m_a$ and the decay constant $f_a$. The limit $f_a \rightarrow \infty$ recovers the original example of Kerr BHs w…
A Supersymmetric Extension of Axionic Electrodynamics: From Axions and Photons to Axinos and Photinos
Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo（圣埃斯皮里图联邦大学）；Centro Brasileiro de Pesquisas Físicas（巴西物理研究中心）；Instituto Federal do Espírito Santo（圣埃斯皮里图联邦学院）；Centro Federal de Educação Tecnológica C. S. da Fonseca（C.S.达丰塞卡联邦技术教育中心）
We investigate viable scenarios with various axions in the context of supersymmetric field theory and in globally consistent D-brane models. The Peccei-Quinn symmetry is associated with an anomalous U(1) symmetry, which acquires mass at the string scale but remains as a perturbative global symmetry at low energies. The origin of the scalar Higgs-axion potential from F-, D- and soft breaking terms is derived, and two Standard Model examples of global intersecting D6-brane models in Type II orientifolds are presented, which differ in the realisation of the Higgs sector and in the hidden sector, …
In this work we derive non-singular BPS string solutions from an action that captures the essential features of a D-brane-anti-D-brane system compactified to four dimensions. The model we consider is a supersymmetric abelian Higgs model with a D-term potential coupled to an axion-dilaton multiplet. The strings in question are axionic D-term strings which we identify with the D-strings of type II string theory. In this picture the Higgs field represents the open string tachyon of the D-Dbar pair and the axion is dual to a Ramond Ramond form. The crucial term allowing the existence of non-singul…
We consider the structure of halos of the axionic dark matter, which surround massive relativistic objects with static spherically symmetric gravitational field and monopole-type magneto-electric fields. We work with the model of pseudoscalar field with the extended periodic potential, which depends on additional arguments proportional to the moduli of the Killing vectors; in our approach they play the roles of model guiding functions. The covariant model of the axion field with this modified potential is equipped with the extended formalism of the Killing vector fields, which is established i…
From rotating attractors to extremal black holes with axionic hair
Center for Research and Development in Mathematics and Applications (CIDMA), Department of Mathematics, University of Aveiro（阿威罗大学数学与数学应用研究与发展中心（CIDMA）数学系）
We construct new black brane solutions in the context of Horndeski gravity, in particular in its K-essence sector. These models are supported by axion scalar fields that depend only on the horizon coordinates. The dynamics of these fields is determined by a K-essence term that includes the standard kinetic term $X$ and a correction of the form $X^{k}$. We find both neutral and charged exact and analytic solutions in $D$-dimensions, which are asymptotically anti de Sitter. Then, we describe in detail the thermodynamical properties of the four-dimensional solutions and we compute the dual hologr…
In the framework of the Einstein-Dirac-axion-aether theory we consider the quartet of self-interacting cosmic fields, which includes the dynamic aether, presented by the unit timelike vector field, the axionic dark mater, described by the pseudoscalar field, the spinor field associated with fermion particles, and the gravity field. The key, associated with the mechanism of self-interaction, is installed into the modified periodic potential of the pseudoscalar (axion) field constructed on the base of a guiding function, which depends on one invariant, one pseudo-invariant and two cross-invarian…
According to the Axionic String Anstaz (ASA) confining flux tubes in pure gluodynamics are in the same equivalence class as a new family of integrable non-critical strings, called axionic strings. In addition to translational modes, axionic strings carry a set of worldsheet axions transforming as an antisymmetric tensor under the group of transverse rotations. We initiate a study of integrable axionic strings at general number of space-time dimensions $D$. We show that in the infinite tension limit worldsheet axions should be described by a peculiar "pseudofree" theory---their $S$-matrix is tr…
We argue that theories with multiple axions generically contain a large number of vacua that can account for the smallness of the cosmological constant. In a theory with N axions, the dominant instantons with charges Q determine the discrete symmetry of vacua. Subleading instantons break the leading periodicity and lift the vacuum degeneracy. For generic integer charges the number of distinct vacua is given by |det(Q)|~exp(N). Our construction motivates the existence of a landscape with a vast number of vacua in a large class of four-dimensional effective theories.
In theories with a perturbatively massless 2-form (dual to an axion), a paradox may arise in the process of black hole evaporation. Schwarzschild black holes can support a non-trivial Wilson-line-type field, the integral of the 2-form around their horizon. After such an 'axionic black hole' evaporates, the Wilson line must be supported by the corresponding 3-form field strength in the region formerly occupied by the black hole. In the limit of small axion decay-constant f, the energy required for this field configuration is too large. The natural resolution is through the presence of light str…
We study the low-energy effects of space-time non-commutativity on light propagation in a background electromagnetic field. Contrary to some of the previous claims, we find no polarization rotation for vanishing time-space commutator $[\hat{x}^i,\hat{x}^0]= 0$, although dispersion relation is modified, allowing for propagation faster than the vacuum speed of light. For non-zero $[\hat{x}^i,\hat{x}^0]$, as allowed with a proper quantization, a naive rotation effect is found to be actually absent when physical fields are defined through Seiberg-Witten map. We also consider non-commutative QED we…
Detection of axion field can unfold intriguing facets of our universe in several astrophysical and cosmological scenarios. In four dimensions, such a field owes its origin to the completely anti-symmetric Kalb-Ramond field strength tensor. Its invisibility in the solar system based tests compels one to look for its signatures in the strong field regime. The recent observation of the shadow of the supermassive black hole in the galaxy M87 ushers in a new opportunity to test for the footprints of axion in the near horizon region of black holes, where the gravity is expected to be strong. In this…
An $S$-matrix is proposed for the two dimensional O(3) $σ$-model with a dynamical $θ$-term (axion model). Exploiting an Abelian T-duality transformation connecting the axion model to an integrable SU(2)$\times$U(1) symmetric principal $σ$-model, strong evidence is presented for the correctness of the proposed $S$-matrix by comparing the perturbatively calculated free energies with the ones based on the Thermodynamical Bethe Ansatz. This T-duality transformation also leads to a new Lax-pair for both models. The quantum non-integrability of the O(3) $σ$-model with a {\sl constant} $θ$-term, in c…
We provide a ``user-friendly'' algorithm to systematically and rapidly obtain exact planar black hole solutions in the Einstein-Maxwell theory deformed by the most general shift- and reflection-symmetric Horndeski sector where the usual Galileon is replaced by a tuple of scalars with profiles linear in the coordinates of the transverse manifold. Under precise assumptions, these axion backgrounds break the translational invariance of the system, causing momentum dissipation in the holographically dual field theory. The success of the method relies on the simple realization that the bulk equatio…
Positivity of the gravitational path integral implies the axionic weak gravity conjecture
Leinweber Institute for Theoretical Physics and Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley（加州大学伯克利分校莱因韦伯理论物理研究所与物理系）；RIKEN iTHEMS Center for Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences（理化学研究所 iTHEMS 跨学科理论与科学中心）；Joseph Henry Laboratories, Princeton University（普林斯顿大学约瑟夫·亨利实验室）；Department of Physics, Harvard University（哈佛大学物理系）
Among the possible CP-odd couplings of the axion to ordinary matter, the most relevant ones for phenomenology are the Yukawa couplings to nucleons. We analyze such non-derivative couplings within three different approaches: standard effective field theory, the Skyrme model and holographic QCD. In all the cases, the couplings can be related to the CP-odd non-derivative couplings to nucleons of the low-lying mesons and the $η'$. Using the effective field theory approach we discuss how to derive the expressions for the CP-odd interaction terms as functions of the parameters of the effective Lagra…
