Superradiance Constraints from GW231123

TL;DR

This paper uses gravitational wave data from GW231123 to set new constraints on axion particles by analyzing black hole superradiance effects, extending previous bounds to lower masses.

Contribution

It presents novel limits on axion masses and decay constants based on the latest gravitational wave observations, improving upon prior astrophysical constraints.

Findings

Constraints on axion masses $oxed{ ext{~}[0.6-5] imes 10^{-13} ext{ eV}}$

Lower bounds on decay constants $f_ ext{ extPhi} extgreater 10^{14}$ GeV

Extension of superradiance bounds to lower axion masses than previous x-ray based limits.

Abstract

Gravitational wave observations have recently revealed with high significance, and high precision, the existence of $\mathcal{O}(100) \, M_\odot$ rapidly rotating black holes, allowing gravitational wave events to be used for the first time to probe unexplored axion parameter space using the phenomenon known as black hole superradiance. Here, we present new limits on axions using the binary black hole merger event GW231123, whose constituent black holes are among the fastest spinning observed with gravitational waves to date. We demonstrate that the most viable binary formation channels lead to conservative constraints on axion masses $\mu \sim [0.6-5] \times \, 10^{-13}$ eV and decay constants $f_\Phi \gtrsim 10^{14}$ GeV, extending existing superradiance constraints derived using x-ray observations to yet lower axion masses.