Axion strings are superconducting
Abstract We explore the cosmological consequences of the superconductivity of QCD axion strings. Axion strings can support a sizeable chiral electric current and charge density, which alters their early universe dynamics. We examine the possibility that shrinking axion string loops can become effect...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2021-06-01
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| Series: | Journal of High Energy Physics |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/JHEP06(2021)052 |
| _version_ | 1818440882774343680 |
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| author | Hajime Fukuda Aneesh V. Manohar Hitoshi Murayama Ofri Telem |
| author_facet | Hajime Fukuda Aneesh V. Manohar Hitoshi Murayama Ofri Telem |
| author_sort | Hajime Fukuda |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract We explore the cosmological consequences of the superconductivity of QCD axion strings. Axion strings can support a sizeable chiral electric current and charge density, which alters their early universe dynamics. We examine the possibility that shrinking axion string loops can become effectively stable remnants called vortons, supported by the repulsive electromagnetic force of the string current. We find that vortons in our scenario are generically unstable, and so do not pose a cosmological difficulty. Furthermore, if a primordial magnetic field (PMF) exists in the early universe, a large current is induced on axion strings, creating a significant drag force from interactions with the surrounding plasma. As a result, the strings are slowed down, which leads to an orders of magnitude enhancement in the number of strings per Hubble volume. Finally, we study potential implications for the QCD axion relic abundance. The QCD axion window is shifted by orders of magnitude in some parts of our parameter space. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T18:19:25Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-429fd0f71ef744e2ba58f7b0290dfeb7 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1029-8479 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T18:19:25Z |
| publishDate | 2021-06-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of High Energy Physics |
| spelling | doaj.art-429fd0f71ef744e2ba58f7b0290dfeb72022-12-21T22:52:06ZengSpringerOpenJournal of High Energy Physics1029-84792021-06-012021614210.1007/JHEP06(2021)052Axion strings are superconductingHajime Fukuda0Aneesh V. Manohar1Hitoshi Murayama2Ofri Telem3Theoretical Physics Group, Lawrence Berkeley National LaboratoryDepartment of Physics, University of California at San DiegoTheoretical Physics Group, Lawrence Berkeley National LaboratoryTheoretical Physics Group, Lawrence Berkeley National LaboratoryAbstract We explore the cosmological consequences of the superconductivity of QCD axion strings. Axion strings can support a sizeable chiral electric current and charge density, which alters their early universe dynamics. We examine the possibility that shrinking axion string loops can become effectively stable remnants called vortons, supported by the repulsive electromagnetic force of the string current. We find that vortons in our scenario are generically unstable, and so do not pose a cosmological difficulty. Furthermore, if a primordial magnetic field (PMF) exists in the early universe, a large current is induced on axion strings, creating a significant drag force from interactions with the surrounding plasma. As a result, the strings are slowed down, which leads to an orders of magnitude enhancement in the number of strings per Hubble volume. Finally, we study potential implications for the QCD axion relic abundance. The QCD axion window is shifted by orders of magnitude in some parts of our parameter space.https://doi.org/10.1007/JHEP06(2021)052Beyond Standard ModelSolitons Monopoles and Instantons |
| spellingShingle | Hajime Fukuda Aneesh V. Manohar Hitoshi Murayama Ofri Telem Axion strings are superconducting Journal of High Energy Physics Beyond Standard Model Solitons Monopoles and Instantons |
| title | Axion strings are superconducting |
| title_full | Axion strings are superconducting |
| title_fullStr | Axion strings are superconducting |
| title_full_unstemmed | Axion strings are superconducting |
| title_short | Axion strings are superconducting |
| title_sort | axion strings are superconducting |
| topic | Beyond Standard Model Solitons Monopoles and Instantons |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/JHEP06(2021)052 |
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