New axion and hidden photon constraints from a solar data global fit

TL;DR

This paper introduces a comprehensive statistical method combining helioseismology and solar neutrino data to set new constraints on axions and hidden photons, improving previous solar limits and demonstrating the method's effectiveness.

Contribution

The paper develops a novel global statistical analysis framework that integrates multiple solar observations to constrain properties of non-standard particles like axions and hidden photons.

Findings

Upper limit on axion-photon coupling: $g_{a ext{γ}} < 4.1 imes 10^{-10} ext{GeV}^{-1}$ at 3σ.

Most restrictive upper limit on hidden photon parameters: $ ext{χ} m < 1.8 imes 10^{-12} ext{eV}$ at 3σ.

Method improves upon previous solar constraints, demonstrating the power of a combined statistical approach.

Abstract

We present a new statistical analysis that combines helioseismology (sound speed, surface helium and convective radius) and solar neutrino observations (the $^8$B and $^7$Be fluxes) to place upper limits to the properties of non standard weakly interacting particles. Our analysis includes theoretical and observational errors, accounts for tensions between input parameters of solar models and can be easily extended to include other observational constraints. We present two applications to test the method: the well studied case of axions and axion-like particles and the more novel case of low mass hidden photons. For axions we obtain an upper limit at $3\sigma$ for the axion-photon coupling constant of $g_{a\gamma}\,<\,4.1 \cdot 10^{-10} \rm{GeV^{-1}}$. For hidden photons we obtain the most restrictive upper limit available accross a wide range of masses for the product of the kinetic mixing and mass of $\chi m < 1.8 \cdot 10^{-12} \rm{eV}$ at $3\sigma$. Both cases improve the previous solar constraints based on the Standard Solar Models showing the power of using a global statistical approach.