Exploring Axions through the Photon Ring of a Spherically Symmetric Black Hole

TL;DR

This paper investigates how photon-axion conversion near a black hole's photon sphere could affect observable photon ring luminosity, providing a new way to constrain axion properties and explore extra dimensions.

Contribution

It introduces a model for photon-axion conversion in black hole environments and proposes observational strategies to detect axions and extra dimensions through photon ring luminosity changes.

Findings

Photon-axion conversion can decrease photon ring brightness.

Black hole charge and extra dimensions influence photon ring luminosity.

Constraints on axion mass and coupling are possible via photon ring observations.

Abstract

In this study, we examine the phenomenon of photon axion conversion occurring in the spacetime surrounding a black hole. Specifically, we focus on the potential existence of a magnetic field around the supermassive black hole M87*, which could facilitate the conversion of photons into axions in close proximity to the photon sphere. While photons traverse through the curved spacetime, they spend time near the photon sphere, where conversion of these photons into axions takes place. Consequently, this process leads to a decrease in the intensity of the black hole's photon ring. To explore the possibilities of detecting these hypothetical axion particles, we propose observing the photon sphere using higher resolution telescopes. By doing so, we can gain valuable insights into the conversion mechanism as well as the nature of the spherically symmetric black hole geometry. Moreover, we also investigate how the photon ring luminosities are affected if the black hole possesses a charge parameter. For instance apart from U(1) electric charge, the presence of extra dimension may induce a {\em tidal charge} with a characteristic signature. It is important to note that the success of the conversion mechanism relies on the axion-photon coupling and mass. As a result, the modified luminosity of the black hole's photon ring offers a valuable means of constraining the axion's mass and coupling parameter within a certain range. Thus our findings contribute to a better understanding of photon axion conversion in the environment of a black hole spacetime and helps us explore the possible existence of extra spatial dimension.