If axions or axion-like particles exist and are detected, they will not only extend the standard model of particle physics but will also open a new way to probe their sources. Axion helioscopes aim to detect axions which are produced in the core of the sun. Their spectrum contains information about the solar interior and could in principle help to solve the conflict between high and low metallicity solar models. Using the planned International Axion Observatory (IAXO) as an example, we show that helioscopes could measure the strength of characteristic emission peaks caused by the presence of heavier elements with good precision. In order to determine unambiguously the elemental abundances from this information, an improved modelling of the states of atoms inside the solar plasma is required.
Axions with masses of order keV can be produced in great abundance within the Solar core. The majority of Sun-produced axions escape to infinity, but a small fraction of the flux is produced with speeds below the escape velocity. Over time, this process populates a basin of slow-moving axions trapped on bound orbits. These axions can decay to two photons, yielding an observable signature. We place the first limits on this solar basin of axions using recent quiescent solar observations made by the NuSTAR X-ray telescope. We compare three different methodologies for setting constraints, and obta…
We develop the general laws of the theory of the almost empty anchored magnetic flux tubes (MFT) with B~10^7G, starting from tachocline to the surface of the Sun. The main result of this theory is the formation of the solar axions and the magnetic O-loop inside the MFT near the tachocline. In this magnetic O-loop (based on the Kolmogorov turbulent cascade) the axions are converted to photons, producing the axion origin photons near the tachocline. On the other hand, high-energy photons from the radiation zone through the axion-photon oscillations in the O-loop produce the axions of photon orig…
The Sun is a well-studied astrophysical source of axion-like particles (ALPs), produced mainly through the Primakoff process. Moreover, in the Sun there exist large-scale magnetic fields that catalyze an additional ALP production via a coherent conversion of thermal photons. We study this contribution to the solar ALP emissivity, typically neglected in previous investigations. Furthermore, we discuss additional bounds on the ALP-photon coupling from energy-loss arguments, and the detection perspectives of this new ALP flux at future helioscope and dark matter experiments.
The search for solar axions produced by Compton ($γ+e^-\rightarrow e^-+A$) and bremsstrahlung-like ($e^-+Z \rightarrow Z+e^-+A$) processes has been performed. The axion flux in the both cases depends on the axion-electron coupling constant. The resonant excitation of low-lying nuclear level of $^{169}\rm{Tm}$ was looked for: $A+^{169}$Tm $\rightarrow ^{169}$Tm$^*$ $\rightarrow ^{169}$Tm $+ γ$ (8.41 keV). The Si(Li) detector and $^{169}$Tm target installed inside the low-background setup were used to detect 8.41 keV $γ$-rays. As a result, a new model independent restriction on the axion-electro…
We investigate the 5.49 MeV solar axions flux produced in the $p(d,\, ^{3}{\rm He})a$ reaction and analyze the potential to detect it with the forthcoming large underground neutrino oscillation experiment Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO). The JUNO detector could reveal axions through various processes such as Compton and inverse Primakoff conversion, as well as through their decay into two photons or electron-positron pairs inside the detector. We perform a detailed numerical analysis in order to forecast the sensitivity on different combinations of the axion-electron ($ g_{ae}…
Standard solar physics cannot account for the X-ray emission and other puzzles, the most striking example being the solar corona mystery. The corona temperature rise above the non-flaring magnetized sunspots, while the photosphere just underneath becomes cooler, makes this mystery more intriguing. The paradoxical Sun is suggestive of some sort of exotic solution, axions being the (only?) choice for the missing ingredient. We present atypical axion signatures, which depict solar axions with a rest mass max ~17 meV/c2. Then, the Sun has been for decades the overlooked harbinger of new particle p…
A search for axioelectric absorption of solar axions produced in the $ p + d \rightarrow {^3\rm{He}}+γ~(5.5~ \rm{MeV})$ reactions has been performed with a BGO detector placed in a low-background setup. A model-independent limit on an axion-nucleon and axion-electron coupling constant has been obtained: $| g_{Ae}\times g_{AN}^3|< 1.9\times 10^{-10}$ for 90% confidence level. The constrains of the axion-electron coupling have been obtained for hadronic axion with masses in (0.1 - 1) MeV range: $|g_{Ae}| \leq (0.96 - 8.2)\times 10^{-8}$.
A search for 5.5-MeV solar axions produced in the $p+d\rightarrow\rm{^3He}+A (5.5 \rm{MeV})$ reaction was performed using the Borexino detector. The Compton conversion of axions to photons, ${\rm A}+e\rightarrow e+γ$; the axio-electric effect, ${\rm A}+e+Z\rightarrow e+Z$; the decay of axions into two photons, ${\rm A}\rightarrow2γ$; and inverse Primakoff conversion on nuclei, ${\rm A}+Z\rightarrowγ+Z$, are considered. Model independent limits on axion-electron ($g_{Ae}$), axion-photon ($g_{Aγ}$), and isovector axion-nucleon ($g_{3AN}$) couplings are obtained: $|g_{Ae}\times g_{3AN}| \leq 5.5\…
The results of a search for solar axions from the Korea Invisible Mass Search (KIMS) experiment at the Yangyang Underground Laboratory are presented. Low-energy electron-recoil events would be produced by conversion of solar axions into electrons via the axio-electric effect in CsI(Tl) crystals. Using data from an exposure of 34,596 $\rm kg \cdot days$, we set a 90 \% confidence level upper limit on the axion-electron coupling, $g_{ae}$, of $1.39 \times 10^{-11}$ for an axion mass less than 1 keV/$\rm c^2$. This limit is lower than the indirect solar neutrino bound, and fully excludes QCD axio…
The spectral shape of solar X-rays is a power law. The more active the Sun is, the less steep the distribution. This behaviour can be explained by axion regeneration to X-rays occurring ~400km deep into the photosphere. Their down-comptonization reproduces the measured spectral shape, pointing at axions with rest mass m_a~17 meV/c2, without contradicting astrophysical-laboratory limits. Directly measured soft X-ray spectra from the extremely quiet Sun during 2009 (SphinX mission), though hitherto overlooked, fitt the axion scenario.
The search for resonant absorption of Compton and bremsstrahlung solar axions by $^{169}$Tm nuclei have been performed. Such an absorption should lead to the excitation of low-lying nuclear energy level: $A+^{169}$Tm $\rightarrow ^{169}$Tm$^*$ $\rightarrow ^{169}$Tm $+ γ$ (8.41 keV). Additionally the axio-electric effect in silicon atoms is sought. The axions are detected using a Si(Li) detectors placed in a low-background setup. As a result, a new model independent restrictions on the axion-electron and the axion-nucleon coupling: $g_{Ae}\times|g^0_{AN}+ g^3_{AN}|\leq 2.1\times10^{-14}$ and t…
We advocate the idea that there is a fundamentally new mechanism for the axion production in the Sun, which has never been discussed previously in the literature. This novel mechanism of the axion production is based on the so-called Axion Quark Nugget (AQN) Dark Matter Model. These axions will be produced in addition to well studied axions emitted due to the Primakoff effect. The AQN model was originally invented as a natural explanation of the observed ratio $Ω_{\rm dark} \sim Ω_{\rm visible}$ when the DM and visible matter densities assume the same order of magnitude values, irrespectively …
It is shown that the hypothesis of the axion mechanism for solar luminosity variations suggesting that the solar axion particles are born in the core of the Sun and may be efficiently converted back into $γ$-quanta in the magnetic field of the solar overshoot tachocline is physically relevant. As a result, it is also shown that the intensity variations of the $γ$-quanta of axion origin, induced by the magnetic field variations in the tachocline via the thermomagnetic Ettingshausen-Nernst effect, directly cause the Sun luminosity variations and eventually characterize the active and quiet state…
It is shown that the hypothesis of the axion mechanism of Sun luminosity suggesting that the solar axion particles are born in the core of the Sun and may be efficiently converted back into $γ$-quanta in the magnetic field of the solar overshoot tachocline is physically relevant. As a result, it is also shown that the intensity variations of the $γ$-quanta of axion origin, induced by the magnetic field variations in the tachocline, directly cause the Sun luminosity %and total solar irradiance (TSI) variations and eventually characterize the active and quiet states of the Sun. Within the framew…
We present a new statistical analysis that combines helioseismology (sound speed, surface helium and convective radius) and solar neutrino observations (the $^8$B and $^7$Be fluxes) to place upper limits to the properties of non standard weakly interacting particles. Our analysis includes theoretical and observational errors, accounts for tensions between input parameters of solar models and can be easily extended to include other observational constraints. We present two applications to test the method: the well studied case of axions and axion-like particles and the more novel case of low ma…
We argue that the interpretation in terms of solar axions of the recent XENON1T excess is not tenable when confronted with astrophysical observations of stellar evolution. We discuss the reasons why the emission of a flux of solar axions sufficiently intense to explain the anomalous data would radically alter the distribution of certain type of stars in the color-magnitude diagram in first place, and would also clash with a certain number of other astrophysical observables. Quantitatively, the significance of the discrepancy ranges from $3.3σ$ for the rate of period change of pulsating White D…
The first part reviews the working mechanisms, capabilities and performance of axion helioscopes, including the achieved results so far. The 2nd part is observationally driven. New simulation results obtained with the Geant4 code reconstruct spectral shape of solar X-ray spectra, and their isotropic emission and lateral size. The derived rst mass of the axion(-like) particles is ~10meV. The axion interaction with magnetic field gradient is a generic theoretical suggestion that could reconcile present limits with relevant solar X-ray activity. A short outlook of the experimentally expanding sol…
We show existence of strong negative correlation between the temporal variations of magnetic field toroidal component of the solar tachocline (the bottom of convective zone) and the Earth magnetic field (Y-component). The possibility that hypothetical solar axions, which can transform into photons in external electric or magnetic fields (the inverse Primakoff effect), can be the instrument by which the magnetic field of convective zone of the Sun modulates the magnetic field of the Earth is considered. We propose the axion mechanism of Sun luminosity and "solar dynamo - geodynamo" connection, …
The purpose of this paper is to assess the feasibility of axion detection by X-ray spectroscopy of the sun. We review the theory of axion-photon mode conversion with special attention to axions emitted in the 14.4 keV M1 decay of 57Fe at the solar center. These then mode convert to photons in the outer layers of the solar envelope, and may in principle be detected subsequently as X-rays. For axion masses above about 10^-4 eV, resonant mode conversion at a layer where the axion mass matches the local electron plasma frequency is necessary. For axion masses above about 10^-2 eV, this mode conver…
A finite axion-nucleon coupling, nearly unavoidable for QCD axions, leads to the production of axions via the thermal excitation and subsequent de-excitation of Fe-57 isotopes in the sun. We revise the solar bound on this flux adopting the up to date emission rate, and investigate the sensitivity of the proposed International Axion Observatory IAXO and its intermediate stage BabyIAXO to detect these axions. We compare different realistic experimental options and discuss the model dependence of the signal. Already BabyIAXO has sensitivity far beyond previous solar axion searches via the nucleon…
Axions generated thermally in the solar core can convert nearly directly to X-rays as they pass through the solar atmosphere via interaction with the magnetic field. The result of this conversion process would be a diffuse centrally-concentrated source of few-keV X-rays at disk center; it would have a known dimension, of order 10% of the solar diameter, and a spectral distribution resembling the blackbody spectrum of the solar core. Its spatial structure in detail would depend on the distribution of mass and field in the solar atmosphere. The brightness of the source depends upon these factors…
Limits on the axion-photon coupling from Chandrayaan-2 observations
Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science（印度科学文化研究所）；Physical Research Laboratory（物理研究实验室）；Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur（坎普尔印度理工学院）；Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal（博帕尔印度科学与教育研究院）
In this paper we advocate for the idea that two seemingly unrelated mysteries with almost 90 year history -- the nature of dark matter and the million-degree solar corona -- may be but two sides of the same coin -- the axions of dark matter born in the core of the Sun and photons of axion origin in the million-degree solar corona, whose modulations are controlled by the anticorrelated modulation of the asymmetric dark matter (ADM) density in the solar interior.
As recently advocated in \cite{Fischer:2018niu}, there is a fundamentally new mechanism for the axion production in the Sun and Earth. However, the role of very slow axions in previous studies were neglected because of its negligible contribution to the total axion production by this new mechanism. In the present work we specifically focus on analysis of the non-relativistic axions which will be trapped by the Sun and Earth due to the gravitational forces. The corresponding emission rate of these low energy axions (below the escape velocity) is very tiny. However, these axions will be accumula…
A search for resonant absorption of solar axions by $^{169}$Tm nuclei was carried out. A newly developed approach involving low-background cryogenic bolometer based on Tm$_3$Al$_5$O$_{12}$ crystal was used that allowed for significant improvement of sensitivity in comparison with previous $^{169}$Tm based experiments. The measurements performed with $8.18$ g crystal during $6.6$ days exposure yielded the following limits on axion couplings: $|g_{Aγ} (g_{AN}^0 + g_{AN}^3) \leq 1.44 \times 10^{-14}$ GeV$^{-1}$ and $|g_{Ae} (g_{AN}^0 + g_{AN}^3) \leq 2.81 \times 10^{-16}$.
Axions are well motivated particles proposed in an extension of the SM as a solution to the strong CP problem. Also, there is the category of Axion-Like Particles (ALPs) which appear in extensions of the SM and share the same phenomenology of the axion. Axions and ALPs are candidates to solve the Dark Matter problem. CAST, the CERN Axion Solar Telescope is looking for solar axions since 2003. CAST exploit the helioscope technique using a decommissioned LHC dipole magnet in which solar axions could be reconverted into photons. Three of the four detectors operating at CAST are of the Micromegas …
We report new searches for the solar axions and galactic axion-like dark matter particles, using the first low-background data from PandaX-II experiment at China Jinping Underground Laboratory, corresponding to a total exposure of about $2.7\times 10^4$ kg$\cdot$day. No solar axion or galactic axion-like dark matter particle candidate has been identified. The upper limit on the axion-electron coupling ($g_{Ae}$) from the solar flux is found to be about $4.35 \times 10^{-12}$ in mass range from $10^{-5}$ to 1 keV/$c^2$ with 90\% confidence level, similar to the recent LUX result. We also report…
Axions could be a component of the dark matter and are of great interest for particle physics. If present, their interaction with magnetic fields in the solar photosphere should produce a polarization signal of real photons, whose amplitude depends quadratically on the magnetic field strength. I search for possible traces of axion-induced low-energy polarization signal in the visible wavelength range near 630 nm. I use an observation of a sunspot and the nearby active region to study the dependence of the continuum polarization signal on magnetic field strength. I correct the continuum polariz…
We show the existence of the strong inverse correlation between the temporal variations of the toroidal component of the magnetic field in the solar tachocline (the bottom of the convective zone) and the Earth magnetic field (the Y-component). The possibility that the hypothetical solar axions, which can transform into photons in external electric or magnetic fields (the inverse Primakoff effect), can be the instrument by which the magnetic field of the Sun convective zone modulates the magnetic field of the Earth is considered. We propose the axion mechanism of Sun luminosity and "solar dynam…
Following the renewed interest for axions as a dark matter component, we revisit the effects of energy loss by axion emission on the evolution of the first generation of stars. These stars with zero metallicity are supposed to be massive, more compact, and hotter than subsequent generations. It is hence important to extend previous studies restricted to solar metallicity stars. Our analysis first compares the evolution of solar metallicity 8, 10 and 12 M$_\odot$ stars to previous work. We then calculate the evolution of 8 zero metallicity stars with and without axion losses and with masses ran…
Axions are a natural consequence of the Peccei-Quinn mechanism, the most compelling solution to the strong-CP problem. Similar axion-like particles (ALPs) also appear in a number of possible extensions of the Standard Model, notably in string theories. Both, axions and ALPs, are very well motivated candidates for Dark Matter (DM), and they would be copiously produced at the suns core. A relevant effort during the last two decades has been the CAST experiment at CERN, the most sensitive axion helioscope to date. The International Axion Observatory (IAXO) is a large-scale 4th generation heliosco…
Kaluza-Klein (KK) axions appear in theories with extra dimensions as higher mass, significantly shorter lifetime, excitations of the Peccei-Quinn axion. When produced in the Sun, they would remain gravitationally trapped in the solar system, and their decay to a pair of photons could provide an explanation of the solar corona heating problem. A low-density detector would discriminate such a signal from the background, by identifying the separation of the interaction point of the two photons. The NEWS-G collaboration uses large volume Spherical Proportional Counters, gas-filled metallic spheres…
The Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) recorded \cite{Mondal-2020} impulsive radio events in the quiet solar corona at frequencies 98, 120, 132, and 160 MHz. We propose that these radio events are the direct manifestation of dark matter annihilation events within the axion quark nugget (AQN) framework. It has been argued \cite{Zhitnitsky:2017rop,Raza:2018gpb} that the AQN annihilation events in the quiet solar corona can be identified with the nanoflares conjectured by Parker \cite{Parker-1983}. We further support this claim by demonstrating that observed impulsive radio events \cite{Mondal-2020}…
In this work we advocate for the idea that two seemingly unrelated 80-year-old mysteries - the nature of dark matter and the high temperature of the million degree solar corona - may have resolutions that lie within the same physical framework. The current paradigm is that the corona is heated by nanoflares, which were originally proposed as miniature versions of the observed solar flares. It was recently suggested that the nanoflares could be identified as annihilation events of the nuggets from the Axion Quark Nugget (AQN) dark matter model. This model was invented as an explanation of the o…
It is shown that the holographic principle of quantum gravity (in the hologram of the Universe, and therefore in our Galaxy, and of course on the Sun!), in which the conflict between the theory of gravitation and quantum mechanics disappears, gives rise to the Babcock-Leighton holographic mechanism. Unlike the solar dynamo models, it generates a strong toroidal magnetic field by means of the thermomagnetic Ettingshausen-Nernst (EN) effect in the tachocline. Hence, it can be shown that with the help of the thermomagnetic EN effect, a simple estimate of the magnetic pressure of an ideal gas in t…
This work provides additional evidence on the involvement of exotic particles like axions and/or other WISPs, following recent measurements during the quietest Sun and flaring Sun. Thus, SPHINX mission observed a minimum basal soft X-rays emission in the extreme solar minimum in 2009. The same scenario (with ~17 meV axions) fits also the dynamical behaviour of white-light solar flares, like the measured spectral components in the visible and in soft X-rays, and, the timing between them. Solar chameleons remain a viable candidate, since they may preferentially convert to photons in outer space.
We advocate the idea that the nanoflares conjectured by Parker long ago to resolve the corona heating problem, may also trigger the larger solar flares. The arguments are based on the model where emission of extreme ultra violet (EUV) radiation and soft x-rays from the Sun are powered externally by incident dark matter particles within the Axion Quark Nugget (AQN) Dark Matter Model. The corresponding annihilation events of the AQNs with the solar material are identified with nanoflares. This model was originally invented as a natural explanation of the observed ratio $Ω_{\rm dark} \sim Ω_{\rm …
