New contribution to the anomalous $\pi^0\rightarrow\gamma\gamma$ decay in SU(2) chiral perturbation theory

TL;DR

This paper calculates a previously overlooked correction to the neutral pion decay into two photons caused by axion interactions, showing it can be significant for certain axion mass ranges and constrains QCD axion models.

Contribution

It introduces a new one-loop correction to the $\pi^0 ightarrow\gamma\gamma$ decay in SU(2) chiral perturbation theory due to axion-pion mixing, impacting axion model viability.

Findings

Correction is proportional to axion-photon coupling and axion mass squared.

For MeV-range axions, the correction can be significant.

Results exclude the standard QCD axion as an explanation for decay width discrepancies.

Abstract

The introduction of axions gives rise to additional one-loop diagrams for the two-photon decays of neutral pions via axion-pion mixing. We compute this correction that has been overlooked in existing calculations, within the framework of SU(2) chiral perturbation theory. Our analysis shows that the correction is proportional to the axion-photon coupling and the square of the axion mass. In the classical axion parameter space, this correction is strongly suppressed by the axion decay constant. However, for QCD axions in the MeV or higher mass range, the correction may become significant. Furthermore, when combined with experimental measurements of the decay width of the $\pi^0 \rightarrow \gamma\gamma$ process, our results rule out the standard QCD axion as a viable explanation for the observed discrepancy between chiral perturbation theory predictions and experimental data.