Axion mass limits from pulsar x rays
Axions thermally emitted by a neutron star would be converted into x rays in the strong magnetic field surrounding the star. An improvement in the observational upper limit of pulsed x rays from the Vela pulsar (PSR 0833-45) by a factor of 12 would constrain the axion mass M/sub a/ < 2 x 10/sup -3/eV if the core is non-superfluid and at temperature T/sub c/ greater than or equal to 2 x 10/sup 8/K. If the core is superfluid throughout, an improvement factor of 240 would be needed to provide the same constraint on the axion mass, while in the absence of superfluidity, an improvement factor of 200 could constrain M/sub a/ < 6 x 10/sup -4/eV. A search for modulated hard x rays from PSR 1509-58 or other young pulsars at presently attainable sensitivities may enable the setting of an upper limit for the axion mass. Observation of hard x rays from a very young hot pulsar with T/sub c/ greater than or equal to 7 x 10/sup 8/K could set a firm bound on the axion mass, since neutron superfluidity is not expected above this temperature. The remaining axion mass range 6 x 10/sup -4/eV > M/sub a/ > 10/sup -5/eV (the cosmological lower bound) can be covered by an improved Sikivie type laboratory cavity detector for relic axions constituting the galactic halo. 48 refs.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC03-76SF00098
- OSTI ID:
- 5939761
- Report Number(s):
- LBL-18690; ON: DE85010634
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
AXIONS
NEUTRON STARS
X RADIATION
PULSARS
COSMOLOGY
LIMITING VALUES
LUMINOSITY
MASS
SUPERFLUIDITY
BOSONS
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
GOLDSTONE BOSONS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
POSTULATED PARTICLES
RADIATIONS
STARS
645201* - High Energy Physics- Particle Interactions & Properties-Theoretical- General & Scattering Theory
640106 - Astrophysics & Cosmology- Cosmology
640103 - Astrophysics & Cosmology- Quasi-Stellar
Radio
& X-Ray Sources- (-1987)