Peccei-Quinn axions from frequency dependence radiation dimming

TL;DR

This paper investigates how frequency-dependent radiation dimming caused by photon-axion conversion can constrain the Peccei-Quinn axion parameter space using astrophysical observations.

Contribution

It provides detailed calculations of photon-axion conversion in variable magnetic fields and proposes observational tests to improve axion constraints.

Findings

Current observations of white dwarf binaries constrain axion parameters.

Astronomical surveys can significantly improve axion constraints.

Photon-axion conversion effects are detectable in astrophysical spectra.

Abstract

We explore how the Peccei-Quinn (PQ) axion parameter space can be constrained by the frequency-dependence dimming of radiation from astrophysical objects. To do so we perform accurate calculations of photon-axion conversion in the presence of a variable magnetic field. We propose several tests where the PQ axion parameter space can be explored with current and future astronomical surveys: the observed spectra of isolated neutron stars, occultations of background objects by white dwarfs and neutron stars, the light curves of eclipsing binaries containing a white dwarf. We find that the lack of dimming of the light curve of a detached eclipsing white dwarf binary recently observed, leads to relevant constraints on the photon-axion conversion. Current surveys designed for Earth-like planet searches are well matched to strengthen and improve the constraints on the PQ axion using astrophysical objects radiation dimming.