Running in the ALPs

TL;DR

This paper calculates the complete one-loop renormalization group evolution of parameters in the effective field theory for axion-like particles, enabling consistent analysis of experimental constraints across energy scales.

Contribution

It provides the first comprehensive computation of the one-loop RG evolution for all relevant parameters in ALP effective field theory, including basis relations and symmetry considerations.

Findings

Full one-loop RG equations derived for ALP parameters

Clarification of basis choices and symmetry relations in literature

Facilitates consistent interpretation of experimental constraints

Abstract

The couplings of axion-like particles are probed by different experiments across a huge range of energy scales. Accordingly, a consistent analysis of the corresponding constraints requires the use of the renormalization group equations. We compute the full one-loop renormalization group evolution of all -- relevant and marginal -- parameters in the effective field theory for axion-like particles up to dimension five, above and below the electroweak scale, assuming only that new physics does not violate CP. We also include a detailed discussion of the different bases used in the literature, the relations among them and the interplay of the CP and shift symmetries.