We explore whether the axion which solves the strong CP problem can naturally be much lighter than the canonical QCD axion. The $Z_\mathcal{N}$ symmetry proposed by Hook, with $\mathcal{N}$ mirror and degenerate worlds coexisting in Nature and linked by the axion field, is considered in terms of generic effective axion couplings. We show that the total potential is safely approximated by a single cosine in the large $\mathcal{N}$ limit, and we determine the analytical formula for the exponentially suppressed axion mass. The resulting universal enhancement of all axion interactions relative to those of the canonical QCD axion has a strong impact on the prospects of axion-like particle experiments such as ALPS II, IAXO and many others. The finite density axion potential is also analyzed and we show that the $Z_\mathcal{N}$ asymmetric background of high-density stellar environments sets already significant model-independent constraints: $3\le\mathcal{N}\lesssim47$ for an axion scale $f_a\lesssim 2.4\times10^{15}$ GeV, with tantalizing discovery prospects for any value of $f_a$ and down to $\mathcal{N}\sim9$ with future neutron star and gravitational wave data, down to the ultra-light mass region. In addition, two specific ultraviolet $Z_\mathcal{N}$ completions are developed: a composite axion one and a KSVZ-like model with improved Peccei-Quinn quality.
We show that dark matter can be accounted for by an axion that solves the strong CP problem, but is much lighter than usual due to a $Z_\mathcal{N}$ symmetry. The whole mass range from the canonical QCD axion down to the ultra-light regime is allowed, with $3\le\mathcal{N}\lesssim65$. This includes the first proposal of a "fuzzy dark matter" QCD axion with $m_a\sim10^{-22}$ eV. A novel misalignment mechanism occurs --{\it trapped misalignment}-- due to the peculiar temperature dependence of the $Z_{\mathcal{N}}$ axion potential. The dark matter relic density is enhanced because the axion field…
Heavy QCD axions are well-motivated extensions of the QCD axion that address the quality problem while still solving the strong CP problem. Owing to the gluon coupling, critical for solving the strong CP problem, these axions can be produced in significant numbers in beam dump and collider environments for axion decay constants as large as PeV, relevant for addressing the axion quality problem. In addition, if these axions have leptonic couplings, they can give rise to long-lived decay into lepton pairs, in particular, dominantly into muons above the dimuon threshold and below the GeV scale in…
The QCD axion is one of the most compelling solutions of the strong CP problem. There are major current efforts into searching for an ultralight, invisible axion, which is believed to be the only phenomenologically viable realization of the QCD axion. Visible axions with decay constants at or below the electroweak scale are believed to have been long excluded by laboratory searches. Considering the significance of the axion solution of the strong CP problem, we revisit experimental constraints on QCD axions in the O(10 MeV) mass window. In particular, we find a variant axion model that remains…
We review the landscape of QCD axion models. Theoretical constructions that extend the window for the axion mass and couplings beyond conventional regions are highlighted and classified. Bounds from cosmology, astrophysics and experimental searches are reexamined and updated.
The QCD axion is a leading dark matter candidate that emerges as part of the solution to the strong CP problem in the Standard Model. The coupling of the axion to photons is the most common experimental probe, but much parameter space remains unexplored. The coupling of the QCD axion to the Standard Model scales linearly with the axion mass; therefore, the highly-motivated region 0.4-120 neV, corresponding to a GUT-scale axion, is particularly difficult to reach. This paper presents the design requirements for a definitive search for GUT-scale axions and reviews the technological advances need…
One of the most promising methods to search for axions is a light-shining-through-walls (LSW) experiment. In this work, we discuss the possibility of performing an LSW experiment at the ILC experiment, where photon beams are generated for positron production. The photon beam is energetic and intense; the energy is of order MeV and the number of photons is about $10^{24}$ per year. Due to the high energy and intensity, this LSW experiment can reveal the parameter region of the axion unexplored by previous ground-based experiments.
The QCD axion is a well-motivated addition to the standard model to solve the strong $C\!P$ problem. If the axion acquires mass dominantly from a hidden sector, it can be as heavy as $O(1)$ GeV, and the decay constant can be as low as $O(100)$ GeV without running into the axion quality problem. We propose new search strategies for such heavy QCD axions at the Belle II experiment, where the axions are expected to be produced via $B\to K a$. We find that a subsequent decay $a\to 3π$ with a displaced vertex leads to a unique signal with essentially no background, and that a dedicated search can e…
We construct and study a fundamental field theory of the QCD axion: all couplings flow to zero in the infinite-energy limit realizing the totally asymptotically free (TAF) scenario. Some observable quantities (such as the masses of new quarks and scalars) are predicted at low energies by the TAF requirement in terms of gauge couplings and a vector-boson mass. Here the minimal model of this sort is explored; the axion sector is charged under an SU(2) gauge group and a dark photon appears at low energies. This model can be TAF and feature an absolutely stable vacuum at the same time.
The axion solution to the strong CP problem is delicately sensitive to Peccei-Quinn breaking contributions that are misaligned with respect to QCD instantons. Heavy QCD axion models are appealing because they avoid this so-called "quality problem". We show that generic realizations of this framework can be probed by the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA interferometers, through the stochastic gravitational wave (GW) signal sourced by the long-lived axionic string-domain wall network, and by upcoming measurements of the neutron and proton Electric Dipole Moments. Additionally, we provide predictions for searche…
The QCD axion acquires the potential through the non-perturbative effect of the QCD matters around the QCD phase transition. During this period, the direct interaction between the axion and the QCD matters sets in. Focusing on the impact of this direct interaction, we propose two scenarios where the fluctuation of the axion can rapidly grow, potentially leading to the formation of axion miniclusters even if the Peccei-Quinn (PQ) symmetry was already broken during inflation. The first scenario assumes that the primordial curvature perturbation at the horizon scale during the QCD epoch was signi…
Max-Planck-Institut für Physik（马克斯·普朗克物理研究所）；Arnold Sommerfeld Center Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München（路德维希-马克西米利安慕尼黑大学阿诺德·索末菲中心）；Institute of Physics École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)（洛桑联邦理工学院物理研究所）
We study the mirror world with dark matter arising from the thermal freeze-out of the lightest, stable mirror particle -- the mirror electron. The dark matter abundance is achieved for mirror electrons of mass 225 GeV, fixing the mirror electroweak scale near $10^8$ GeV. This highly predictive scenario is realized by an axion that acts as a portal between the two sectors through its coupling to the QCD and mirror QCD sectors. The axion is more massive than the standard QCD axion due to additional contributions from mirror strong dynamics. Still, the strong CP problem is solved by this "heavy" …
