Detecting Axion-Like Particles With Gamma Ray Telescopes

TL;DR

This paper suggests that axion-like particles could be detected through their influence on gamma ray spectra from astrophysical sources, with current telescopes potentially observing these effects in the 1-100 GeV to TeV range.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method for detecting axion-like particles via gamma ray observations, linking particle physics with astrophysical phenomena.

Findings

ALPs can cause gamma ray to ALP conversions in astrophysical magnetic fields.

Detection is feasible with existing gamma ray telescopes in specified energy ranges.

The proposed signature could provide evidence for ALPs within current experimental bounds.

Abstract

We propose that axion-like particles (ALPs) with a two-photon vertex, consistent with all astrophysical and laboratory bounds, may lead to a detectable signature in the spectra of high-energy gamma ray sources. This occurs as a result of gamma rays being converted into ALPs in the magnetic fields of efficient astrophysical accelerators according to the "Hillas criterion", such as jets of active galactic nuclei or hot spots of radio galaxies. The discovery of such an effect is possible by GLAST in the 1-100 GeV range and by ground based gamma ray telescopes in the TeV range.