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Title: Collisions of dark matter axion stars with astrophysical sources

Abstract

If QCD axions form a large fraction of the total mass of dark matter, then axion stars could be very abundant in galaxies. As a result, collisions with each other, and with other astrophysical bodies, can occur. We calculate the rate and analyze the consequences of three classes of collisions, those occurring between a dilute axion star and: another dilute axion star, an ordinary star, or a neutron star. In all cases we attempt to quantify the most important astrophysical uncertainties; we also pay particular attention to scenarios in which collisions lead to collapse of otherwise stable axion stars, and possible subsequent decay through number changing interactions. Collisions between two axion stars can occur with a high total rate, but the low relative velocity required for collapse to occur leads to a very low total rate of collapses. On the other hand, collisions between an axion star and an ordinary star have a large rate, $$\Gamma_\odot \sim 3000$$ collisions/year/galaxy, and for sufficiently heavy axion stars, it is plausible that most or all such collisions lead to collapse. We identify in this case a parameter space which has a stable region and a region in which collision triggers collapse, which dependmore » on the axion number ($$N$$) in the axion star, and a ratio of mass to radius cubed characterizing the ordinary star ($$M_s/R_s^3$$). Finally, we revisit the calculation of collision rates between axion stars and neutron stars, improving on previous estimates by taking cylindrical symmetry of the neutron star distribution into account. Finally, collapse and subsequent decay through collision processes, if occurring with a significant rate, can affect dark matter phenomenology and the axion star mass distribution.« less

Authors:
 [1];  [2];  [2];  [2];  [2]
  1. Univ. of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH (United States); Fermi National Accelerator Lab. (FNAL), Batavia, IL (United States)
  2. Univ. of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH (United States)
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL), Batavia, IL (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), High Energy Physics (HEP)
OSTI Identifier:
1343964
Report Number(s):
FERMILAB-PUB-17-006-T; arXiv:1701.01476
Journal ID: ISSN 1029-8479; 1507976; TRN: US1700532
Grant/Contract Number:  
AC02-07CH11359
Resource Type:
Journal Article: Accepted Manuscript
Journal Name:
Journal of High Energy Physics (Online)
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 2017; Journal Issue: 4; Journal ID: ISSN 1029-8479
Publisher:
Springer Berlin
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS; 72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS; cosmology of theories beyond the SM; classical theories of gravity

Citation Formats

Eby, Joshua, Leembruggen, Madelyn, Leeney, Joseph, Suranyi, Peter, and Wijewardhana, L. C. R. Collisions of dark matter axion stars with astrophysical sources. United States: N. p., 2017. Web. doi:10.1007/JHEP04(2017)099.
Eby, Joshua, Leembruggen, Madelyn, Leeney, Joseph, Suranyi, Peter, & Wijewardhana, L. C. R. Collisions of dark matter axion stars with astrophysical sources. United States. https://doi.org/10.1007/JHEP04(2017)099
Eby, Joshua, Leembruggen, Madelyn, Leeney, Joseph, Suranyi, Peter, and Wijewardhana, L. C. R. 2017. "Collisions of dark matter axion stars with astrophysical sources". United States. https://doi.org/10.1007/JHEP04(2017)099. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1343964.
@article{osti_1343964,
title = {Collisions of dark matter axion stars with astrophysical sources},
author = {Eby, Joshua and Leembruggen, Madelyn and Leeney, Joseph and Suranyi, Peter and Wijewardhana, L. C. R.},
abstractNote = {If QCD axions form a large fraction of the total mass of dark matter, then axion stars could be very abundant in galaxies. As a result, collisions with each other, and with other astrophysical bodies, can occur. We calculate the rate and analyze the consequences of three classes of collisions, those occurring between a dilute axion star and: another dilute axion star, an ordinary star, or a neutron star. In all cases we attempt to quantify the most important astrophysical uncertainties; we also pay particular attention to scenarios in which collisions lead to collapse of otherwise stable axion stars, and possible subsequent decay through number changing interactions. Collisions between two axion stars can occur with a high total rate, but the low relative velocity required for collapse to occur leads to a very low total rate of collapses. On the other hand, collisions between an axion star and an ordinary star have a large rate, $\Gamma_\odot \sim 3000$ collisions/year/galaxy, and for sufficiently heavy axion stars, it is plausible that most or all such collisions lead to collapse. We identify in this case a parameter space which has a stable region and a region in which collision triggers collapse, which depend on the axion number ($N$) in the axion star, and a ratio of mass to radius cubed characterizing the ordinary star ($M_s/R_s^3$). Finally, we revisit the calculation of collision rates between axion stars and neutron stars, improving on previous estimates by taking cylindrical symmetry of the neutron star distribution into account. Finally, collapse and subsequent decay through collision processes, if occurring with a significant rate, can affect dark matter phenomenology and the axion star mass distribution.},
doi = {10.1007/JHEP04(2017)099},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1343964}, journal = {Journal of High Energy Physics (Online)},
issn = {1029-8479},
number = 4,
volume = 2017,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Apr 18 00:00:00 EDT 2017},
month = {Tue Apr 18 00:00:00 EDT 2017}
}

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Works referencing / citing this record:

Full 3D numerical relativity simulations of neutron star–boson star collisions with BAM
journal, December 2018


Stability of condensed fuzzy dark matter halos
journal, October 2018


Colloquium : The physics of axion stars
journal, October 2019


Decay of Ultralight Axion Condensates
text, January 2017


Gravitational Bose-Einstein condensation in the kinetic regime
text, January 2018


Stability of Condensed Fuzzy Dark Matter Halos
text, January 2018


Axion Cosmology with Early Matter Domination
text, January 2018