RadioAxion results on the search for axion dark matter under Gran Sasso

TL;DR

This paper reports the first results from RadioAxion, an underground experiment at Gran Sasso searching for axion dark matter via radioisotope decay modulations, setting new constraints on axion properties in a specific mass range.

Contribution

The study introduces RadioAxion, a novel underground experimental approach to detect axion dark matter through decay modulation analysis, providing new constraints in the low-mass axion range.

Findings

No periodic modulation detected in $^{241}$Am decay data.

Constraints established on axion decay constant for masses $10^{-21}$ to $10^{-9}$ eV.

Abstract

We report first results from RadioAxion, an underground experiment searching for axion dark matter through periodic modulations of radioisotope decays. We monitor the $\alpha$ decay of $^{241}\mathrm{Am}$ via its $59.5$ keV $\gamma$ line using a NaI detector installed at the Gran Sasso Laboratory, where cosmic-ray-induced systematics are strongly suppressed. We present the measured spectra and the corresponding time-series analysis. No evidence for a periodic modulation is observed. From these data we derive constraints on the axion decay constant in the axion mass range from $10^{-21}$ to $10^{-9}$ eV.