Astroparticle Physics

Radio searches for axion dark matter.

by Christoph Weniger (GRAPPA Amsterdam)

Europe/Berlin
Description

One of the theoretically best motivated particle candidate for the dark matter in the Universe is the QCD axion. Axions with masses in the ueV to meV range can solve the strong CP problem of the QCD sector of the Standard Model of particles, and at the same time be non-thermally produced as cold dark matter. In this talk, I will discuss the possibility to detect signals from such axions in radio observations of isolated neutron stars or neutron star populations. Axions can efficiently convert into radio photons in the highly magnetized plasma of neutron stars, which can give rise to detectable radio signals. I will discuss the current state of signal modeling, the role of axion miniclusters, as well as prospects for ongoing and upcoming searches.

Join the meeting here: Zoom link

Meeting ID: 921 1801 0804
Passcode: 68144845