Reply to comment on "Irregularity in gamma ray source spectra as a signature of axionlike particles"

TL;DR

This paper defends previous findings on gamma ray spectra irregularities caused by axion-like particles, clarifying misunderstandings about initial state definitions to affirm the original results' validity.

Contribution

It provides a rebuttal to critiques of earlier work, clarifying the methodology and confirming the robustness of the original analysis on photon-axion mixing effects.

Findings

Original results on gamma ray irregularities are correct

Misunderstandings stem from initial state definitions

Clarifications support the validity of previous conclusions

Abstract

G. Galanti and M .Roncadelli recently made public some comments on the article by D. Wouters and P. Brun about irregularities induced by photon mixing to axion-like particles in astrophysical media [Phys. Rev. D86, 043005 (2012)]. They claim in particular to have found some mistakes in the article. This note is a response to their comments, we refute their arguments and show that the results presented in the article are correct. It turns out most of the misunderstandings come from the definition of the beam initial state, some clarifications about which are given here.