Searching for axions with kaon decay at rest

Journal Article · 19 February 2024 · Physical Review. D.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.109.L031702 · OSTI ID:2309779

Ema, Yohei; Liu, Zhen ; Plestid, Ryan

We describe a novel search strategy for axions (or hadronically coupled axionlike particles) in the mass range of $m_a\lesssim 350\mathrm{MeV}$ . The search relies on kaon decay at rest, which produces a monoenergetic signal in a large volume detector (e.g., a tank of liquid scintillator) from axion decays $a\to \gamma \gamma$ or $a\to e^{+}{e}^{-}$ . The decay modes $K^{+}\to {\pi }^{+}a$ and $a\to \gamma \gamma$ are induced by the axion’s coupling to gluons, which is generic to any model which addresses the strong $CP$ problem. We recast a recent search from MicroBooNE for $e^{+}{e}^{-}$ pairs and study prospects at ${\mathrm{JSNS}}^2$ and other near-term facilities. We find that ${\mathrm{JSNS}}^2$ will have world-leading sensitivity to hadronically coupled axions in the mass range of $40\mathrm{MeV}\lesssim m_a\lesssim 350\mathrm{MeV}$ . Published by the American Physical Society 2024

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• Grant/Contract Number: SC0011842; SC0011632
• OSTI ID: 2309779
• Alternate ID(s): OSTI ID: 2479305; OSTI ID: 2479628
• Journal Information: Physical Review. D., Journal Name: Physical Review. D. Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 109; ISSN PRVDAQ; ISSN 2470-0010
• Publisher: American Physical SocietyCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English