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The enigma surrounding dark matter could potentially find resolution in a mere 10 seconds.
When the next nearby supernova detonates, a gamma-ray telescope positioned correctly may not only witness a dazzling display but could also help validate the existence of a viable dark matter candidate.
Researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, assert that in the initial moments of a supernova, a substantial quantity of a theoretical particle known as axions could be released, providing a quick confirmation of their existence.
This discovery would be akin to winning a lottery in the field of physics when considering the extensive time commitment often required to definitively identify such particles through alternative methods.
However, capturing this moment hinges on having a gamma-ray telescope observing the appropriate region during the event. Currently, the responsibility rests primarily on the Fermi Space Telescope, which faces considerable odds, with only a 10% chance of detecting such an occurrence.
To enhance this likelihood, researchers advocate for the development of the GALactic AXion Instrument for Supernova (GALAXIS), a constellation of gamma-ray satellites capable of monitoring the entirety of the sky continuously. The results from observing a supernova, whether the detection of axions or their absence, could yield significant insights.
“All of us involved in this study are anxious about the timing of a supernova occurring before we have the necessary instruments,” says Benjamin Safdi, an associate professor in physics at UC Berkeley.
“It would be quite regrettable if a supernova were to happen tomorrow and we were unable to capture the axion; we might not have another chance for another 50 years.”
Axions were proposed in the 1970s as a solution to the strong CP problem, a puzzle in theoretical physics that was initially unrelated to dark matter. These particles are anticipated to have an exceedingly small mass, possess no electric charge, and be incredibly prevalent throughout the Universe.
It was later realized that several of their characteristics, including their tendency to congregate and their primary interactions through gravity, made them credible candidates for dark matter. Notably, one of their predicted behaviors allows for potential detection.
In strong magnetic fields, axions may sporadically decay into photons, indicating their presence through the detection of additional light around these regions. This characteristic has formed the basis for numerous laboratory experiments and astronomical surveys over the years, refining our knowledge of possible axion masses.
Neutron stars have emerged as promising sites for axion detection due to their intense physical conditions, which are likely to produce significant quantities of axions, and their powerful magnetic fields that can convert some axions to detectable photons.
In a recent study, the team from UC Berkeley discusses that the optimal time to search for axions around a neutron star could be immediately following its formation during a supernova explosion. New computer simulations indicate that a flux of axions might occur in the initial 10 seconds post-collapse, which could provide insights into the event through gamma-ray bursts.
Their calculations suggest that a specific type of axion, known as the quantum chromodynamics (QCD) axion, would be detectable if its mass exceeds 50 micro-electronvolts, a mass equivalent to just one 10-billionth of an electron’s mass.
If verified, axions could revolutionize our understanding of several key issues in physics, offering solutions to dark matter puzzles, addressing the strong CP problem, informing us about string theory, and elucidating the matter/antimatter imbalance.
The theory awaits validation, with the next nearby supernova being a critical event for testing. Its occurrence could be imminent or many years away, and if the Fermi telescope is monitoring the correct expanse of sky at that moment, it may unlock some of the most profound scientific queries in an instant.
“The ideal scenario for axions would be for Fermi to detect a supernova,” Safdi comments.
“The likelihood of this happening is low. However, if Fermi were to witness it, we could measure its mass, interaction strength, and ascertain everything necessary to understand the axion, all while being assured of the signal’s authenticity since no conventional matter could generate such an event.”
This research has been published in the journal Physical Review Letters.
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