Axion-like particles and high-energy gamma rays: interconversion revisited

TL;DR

This paper presents Monte Carlo simulations of axion-like particle (ALP) and photon interconversion in magnetic fields, focusing on high-energy gamma rays over cosmological distances, and discusses implications for ALP detection.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive simulation framework including electromagnetic cascades, improving the understanding of ALP-photon conversion effects on gamma-ray propagation.

Findings

Enhanced modeling of gamma-ray propagation with ALP effects.

Implications for current and future ALP search strategies.

Refined predictions for gamma-ray signals influenced by ALPs.

Abstract

Axion-like particles (ALPs) are hypothetical entities often invoked to solve various problems in particle physics to cosmology. They are one of the most promising candidates to explain the elusive dark matter. A way to search for ALPs is through their effects on photons. In the presence of external magnetic fields, ALPs and photons can convert into one another, leading to measurable signals. In this contribution we present results of Monte Carlo simulations of ALP-photon interconversion in magnetised environments. We focus on high-energy gamma rays with TeV energies travelling over cosmological distances. We include a full treatment of the intergalactic electromagnetic cascades triggered by the gamma rays. Finally, we discuss the impact of this improved treatment of the propagation for current and future ALP searches.