Probing a QCD String Axion with Precision Cosmological Measurements

Technical Report · Tue Sep 21 04:00:00 EDT 2004

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/833013· OSTI ID:833013

Fox, P ^[1]

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1. SLAC

String and M-theory compactifications generically have compact moduli which can potentially act as the QCD axion. However, as demonstrated here, such a compact modulus can not play the role of a QCD axion and solve the strong CP problem if gravitational waves interpreted as arising from inflation with Hubble constant H{sub inf} {approx}> 10{sup 13} GeV are observed by the PLANCK polarimetry experiment. In this case axion fluctuations generated during inflation would leave a measurable isocurvature and/or non-Gaussian imprint in the spectrum of primordial temperature fluctuations. This conclusion is independent of any assumptions about the initial axion misalignment angle, how much of the dark matter is relic axions, or possible entropy release by a late decaying particle such as the saxion; it relies only on the mild assumption that the Peccei-Quinn symmetry remains unbroken in the early universe.

• Research Organization: Stanford Linear Accelerator Center, Menlo Park, CA (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Science (US)
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-76SF00515
• OSTI ID: 833013
• Report Number(s): SLAC-PUB-10030
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
ACCURACY
AXIONS
ENTROPY
FLUCTUATIONS
GRAVITATIONAL WAVES
NONLUMINOUS MATTER
POLARIMETRY
QUANTUM CHROMODYNAMICS
SYMMETRY
UNIVERSE