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Constraints on axions from the extragalactic background lightWe consider the effect of dark matter in the form of multi-eV axions on the extragalactic background light. Our treatment differs from that of other workers in that we assume axions to be clustered in Galactic halos, with nonzero velocity dispersions. We also approach the problem in a fully general relativistic manner, treating the axion halos as luminous elements of a pressure-free perfect fluid in a standard Friedmann-Robertson-Walker universe. We find that the ultraviolet extragalactic background light places a firm upper limit of 9 eV on the axion rest energy, and that this drops to 4 eV for the simplest axion models, all but closing the multi-eV axion window (which begins at 3 eV). These results are close to earlier upper limits of 5 and 8 eV derived from the extragalactic background by Turner and Ressell, respectively. Although our methods differ somewhat from theirs, our findings support their conclusion that axions, if they exist, are likely to have rest energies well below the eV range.
Document ID
19930072058
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Overduin, J. M.
(California Univ. Berkeley; Victoria Univ., Canada)
Wesson, P. S.
(California Univ. Berkeley; Waterloo Univ., Canada)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
September 10, 1993
Publication Information
Publication: Astrophysical Journal, Part 1
Volume: 414
Issue: 2
ISSN: 0004-637X
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Accession Number
93A56055
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGR-05-003-450
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSERC-OGP-1N017
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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