Spectral Signatures of Photon-Particle Oscillations from Celestial Objects

TL;DR

This paper predicts spectral signatures from photon-particle oscillations in astrophysical objects, suggesting that studying spectra of compact sources could significantly improve detection sensitivity for particles like axions.

Contribution

It provides detailed predictions including quantum electrodynamic effects, showing potential for astrophysical detection of scalar particles with greater sensitivity than current methods.

Findings

Spectral signatures depend on photon-particle oscillations in astrophysical environments.

Detection sensitivity could improve by roughly three orders of magnitude.

Signatures are likely in spectra of magnetars, pulsars, and quasars for certain particle parameters.

Abstract

We give detailed predictions for the spectral signatures arising from photon-particle oscillations in astrophysical objects. The calculations include quantum electrodynamic effects as well as those due to active relativistic plasma. We show that, by studying the spectra of compact sources, it may be possible to directly detect (pseudo-)scalar particles, such as the axion, with much greater sensitivity, by roughly three orders of magnitude, than is currently achievable by other methods. In particular, if such particles exist with masses m_a<0.01[eV] and coupling constant to the electromagnetic field, g>1e-13[1/GeV], then their oscillation signatures are likely to be lurking in the spectra of magnetars, pulsars, and quasars.