Extending the sample of core-collapse supernovae for searches of axion-like-particle induced gamma-ray bursts with the Fermi LAT

TL;DR

This paper enhances the search for axion-like particles (ALPs) by analyzing gamma-ray data from supernovae, using optical observations to estimate explosion times, and setting new limits on ALP-photon coupling.

Contribution

It introduces a method combining optical supernova data with gamma-ray observations to improve constraints on ALPs and demonstrates the potential of future surveys for dark matter research.

Findings

Excluded photon-ALP couplings within a factor of 5 of previous limits.

Estimated supernova explosion times within one day using optical data.

Highlighted the increasing potential of optical surveys for ALP searches.

Abstract

During a core-collapse supernova (SN), axion-like particles (ALPs) could be produced through the Primakoff process and subsequently convert into gamma rays in the magnetic field of the Milky Way. Using a sample of well studied extragalactic SNe at optical wavelengths, we estimate the time of the core collapse and search for a coincident gamma-ray burst with the Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT). Under the assumption that at least one SN was contained within the LAT field of view, we exclude photon-ALP couplings within a factor of $\sim$5 of previous limits from SN1987A. With the increasing number of SNe observed with optical surveys, our results demonstrate the potential to probe ALP dark matter with combined optical and gamma-ray observations. We also provide preliminary results for the estimation of explosion times of 15 close-by SNe observed recently with ZTF. Our findings show that the explosion time can be estimated within one day (statistical uncertainty only) making them promising targets for a follow-up LAT analysis.