Axion mass limits may be improved by pulsar x-ray measurements
Journal Article
·
· Phys. Rev. D; (United States)
Axions thermally emitted by a neutron star would be converted into x rays in the strong magnetic field surrounding the star. The present observational limit of pulsed x rays from the Vela pulsar (PSR 0833-45) is not small enough to bound the axion mass. An increase in x-ray sensitivity by a factor of 10/sup 4/ would constrain the axion mass M-italic/sub a-italic/<3 x 10/sup -3/ eV if the core is nonsuperfluid and at temperature T-italic/sub c-italic/--2 x 10/sup 8/ K. This would improve the limits M-italic/sub a-italic/approx. <4 x 10/sup -2/ eV from neutron-star cooling and M-italic/sub a-italic/<1 x 10/sup -2/ eV from red-giant evolution. If the core is superfluid throughout, a factor of 10/sup 5/ in sensitivity would be needed. A search for modulated hard x rays from PSR 1509-58 or other young pulsars is suggested. A limit on pulsed hard x rays <5 x 10/sup -7/ photons/cm/sup 2/ sec from a very young hot (T-italic/sub c-italic/--7 x 10/sup 8/ K) pulsar within the Galaxy could set a firm bound on the axion mass, since neutron superfluidity is not expected above this temperature.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC03-76SF00098
- OSTI ID:
- 5649078
- Journal Information:
- Phys. Rev. D; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Rev. D; (United States) Vol. 34:3; ISSN PRVDA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
640102* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Stars & Quasi-Stellar
Radio & X-Ray Sources
645102 -- High Energy Physics-- Particle Interactions & Properties-Experimental-- Weak Interactions & Properties
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
AXIONS
BOSONS
BREMSSTRAHLUNG
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
GOLDSTONE BOSONS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
LUMINOSITY
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MASS
MASSLESS PARTICLES
NEUTRON STARS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PARTICLE PRODUCTION
PHOTONS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
POSTULATED PARTICLES
PULSARS
RADIATIONS
STARS
UNIVERSE
X RADIATION
Radio & X-Ray Sources
645102 -- High Energy Physics-- Particle Interactions & Properties-Experimental-- Weak Interactions & Properties
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
AXIONS
BOSONS
BREMSSTRAHLUNG
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
GOLDSTONE BOSONS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
LUMINOSITY
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MASS
MASSLESS PARTICLES
NEUTRON STARS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PARTICLE PRODUCTION
PHOTONS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
POSTULATED PARTICLES
PULSARS
RADIATIONS
STARS
UNIVERSE
X RADIATION