Conveners
Astroparticle
- Kuver Sinha (University of Oklahoma)
We explore novel astrophysical probes of Dark Matter in the dense spike environments surrounding supermassive black holes. First, we analyze the effects of elastic DM scattering with protons and electrons on the energy budget of observed stars near Sagittarius A*. By suppressing or enhancing their luminosity, we derive constraints on DM-electron and DM-proton cross sections. These constraints...
A light CP-even scalar singlet $S$ mixing with the Standard Model (SM) Higgs boson can be produced abundantly in hot and dense astrophysical environments such as the supernova core via nucleon bremsstrahlung process $NN \to NNS$. We reevaluate the production rate of $S$ and its subsequent decay and reabsorption in the supernova core. We then consider secondary photons from the scalar decay $S...
I will talk about the inclusion of axions and millicharge particles (MCPs) in stellar evolution. Axions are considered a promising candidate for dark matter due to their small mass and the potential for large-scale production in stellar environments, which can significantly affect stellar evolution. A similar argument can be said with the inclusion of MCPs in stars. Cepheid variables are...
Gamma ray bursts (GRBs) are one of the most luminous astrophysical sources that can copiously produce axion like particles (ALPs). We delineate the uncertainties in ALP production in the relativistic jets surrounding GRBs. Under conservative assumptions, we find the ALPs produced in the jets can escape and subsequently decay. We show that the decay of axions can produce a secondary fireball...
Interaction between axion-like particles (ALPs) and photons can allow photons to oscillate into ALPs and pass through otherwise opaque regions. This effect is the basis of the light-shining-through-walls experiments. In this talk, I will show that such an approach can be successfully realized at astrophysical length scales using eclipsing neutron stars. During an eclipse, photon flux can...
