Search

Stellar evolution is modified if energy is lost in a "dark channel" similar to neutrino emission. Comparing modified stellar evolution sequences with observations provides some of the most restrictive limits on axions and other hypothetical low-mass particles and on non-standard neutrino properties. In particular, a putative neutrino magnetic dipole moment μv enhances the plasmon decay process, postpones helium ignition in low-mass stars, and therefore extends the red giant branch (RGB) in globular clusters (GCs). The brightness of the tip of the RGB (TRGB) remains the most sensitive probe for μv and we revisit this argument from a modern perspective. Based on a large set of archival observations, we provide high-precision photometry for the Galactic GC M5 (NGC 5904) and carefully determine its TRGB position. On the theoretical side, we add the extra plasmon decay rate brought about by μv to the Princeton-Goddard-PUC (PGPUC) stellar evolution code. Di erent sources of uncertainty are critically examined. The main source of systematic uncertainty is the bolometric correction and the main statistical uncertainty derives from the distance modulus based on main-sequence fitting. (Other measures of distance, e.g., the brightness of RR Lyrae stars, are influenced by the energy loss that we wish to constrain.) The statistical uncertainty of the TRGB position relative to the brightest RGB star is less important because the RGB is well populated.We infer an absolute I-band brightness of MI = -4:17±0:13 mag for the TRGB compared with the theoretical prediction of -3:99 ± 0:07 mag, in reasonable agreement with each other. A significant brightness increase caused by neutrino dipole moments is constrained such that μv < 2:6 × 10-12 μB (68% CL), where μB ≡ e=2me is the Bohr magneton, and μv < 4:5 × 10-12 μB (95% CL). In these results, statistical and systematic errors have been combined in quadrature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Standard Model extensions often predict low-mass and very weakly interacting particles, such as the axion. A number of small-scale experiments at the intensity/precision frontier are actively searching for these elusive particles, complementing searches for physics beyond the Standard Model at colliders. Whilst a next generation of experiments will give access to a huge unexplored parameter space, a discovery would have a tremendous impact on our understanding of fundamental physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measuring the $$ \bar \nu _e $$ component of the cosmic diffuse supernova neutrino background (DSNB) is the next ambitious goal for low-energy neutrino astronomy. The largest flux is expected in the lowest accessible energy bin. However, for E ≲ 15 MeV a possible signal can be mimicked by a solar $$ \bar \nu _e $$ flux that originates from the usual 8B neutrinos by spin-flavor oscillations. We show that such an interpretation is possible within the allowed range of neutrino electromagnetic transition moments and solar turbulent field strengths and distributions. Therefore, an unambiguous detection of the DSNB requires a significant number of events at E ≳ 15 MeV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work we propose a possible mechanism of left- and right-handed neutrino couplings to photons, which arises quite naturally in non-commutative field theory. We estimate the predicted additional energy-loss in stars induced by space-time non-commutativity. The usual requirement that any new energy-loss mechanism in globular stellar clusters should not excessively exceed the standard neutrino losses implies a scale of non-commutative gauge theory above the scale of weak interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The axion emerges in extensions of the Standard Model that explain the absence of CP violation in the strong interactions. Simultaneously, it can provide naturally the cold dark matter in our universe. Several searches for axions and axion-like particles (ALPs) have constrained the corresponding parameter space over the last decades but no unambiguous hints of their existence have been found. The axion mass range below 1 meV remains highly attractive and a well motivated region for dark matter axions. In this White Paper we present a description of a new experiment based on the concept of a dielectric haloscope for the direct search of dark matter axions in the mass range of 40 to 400 μ eV . This MAgnetized Disk and Mirror Axion eXperiment (MADMAX) will consist of several parallel dielectric disks, which are placed in a strong magnetic field and with adjustable separations. This setting is expected to allow for an observable emission of axion induced electromagnetic waves at a frequency between 10 to 100 GHz corresponding to the axion mass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simulates, numerically, the evolution of a horizontal-branch star. Methods; Results; Discussion.