Axion-like Particle Searches with IACTs

Gamma rays constitute a privileged point of view for the study of the extreme Universe. Unlike charged cosmic rays, which are thought to have a common origin, gamma rays are not deflected by galactic and intergalactic magnetic fields. This offers the opportunity to unveil the most powerful particle accelerators, still largely unknown, once modifications in the gamma-ray flux, arrival time, and angular distribution due to propagation effects are considered. Gamma ray telescopes include a large variety of instruments, both satellite-born and ground-based, which cover a broad energy range. These lecture notes provide an overview of the detection techniques for gammaray astronomy. A detailed description of the gamma-ray propagation effects in the galactic and extragalactic scenarios is also provided.

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“…More information on this topic can be found in a review by Batković et al [67] and references therein.…”

Section: • Search For Anomalies In Photon Propagationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gamma rays: propagation and detection

Prandini¹,

Dialektopoulos²,

Strišković³

2022

Proceedings of Corfu Summer Institute 2021 "School and Workshops on Elementary Particle Physics and Gravity" — PoS(CORFU2021)

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“…For now, these two effects are being investigated separately, even in studies investigating both of them (see, e.g., [97]). For more information about axion-like particles and their searches with IACTs, we refer the interested reader to [119,120].…”

Section: Influence Of Lorentz Invariance Violation On Universe Transparencymentioning

confidence: 99%

Probing Quantum Gravity with Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes

2021

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High energy photons from astrophysical sources are unique probes for some predictions of candidate theories of Quantum Gravity (QG). In particular, Imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescope (IACTs) are instruments optimised for astronomical observations in the energy range spanning from a few tens of GeV to ∼100 TeV, which makes them excellent instruments to search for effects of QG. In this article, we will review QG effects which can be tested with IACTs, most notably the Lorentz invariance violation (LIV) and its consequences. It is often represented and modelled with photon dispersion relation modified by introducing energy-dependent terms. We will describe the analysis methods employed in the different studies, allowing for careful discussion and comparison of the results obtained with IACTs for more than two decades. Loosely following historical development of the field, we will observe how the analysis methods were refined and improved over time, and analyse why some studies were more sensitive than others. Finally, we will discuss the future of the field, presenting ideas for improving the analysis sensitivity and directions in which the research could develop.

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“…In this work, we use gamma-ray data from VERITAS and Fermi-LAT of the great Markarian (Mrk) 421 flare of 2010 [3] to search for these signatures, and to set preliminary constraints on ALP mass and coupling constants. Numerous studies of this type have been pursued recently [4], including for this source [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Search for Axion-Like Particles with Observations of the Blazar Markarian 421 with VERITAS and Fermi-LAT

Adams¹

2023

Proceedings of 7th Heidelberg International Symposium on High-Energy Gamma-Ray Astronomy — PoS(Gamma2022)

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Axion-like particles (ALPs) are light, pseudoscalar particles that are a beyond-the-standard-model generalization of the axion. Consequently, they are expected to couple to photons in external magnetic fields to compensate for spin difference. This coupling would induce modifications to the gamma-ray spectra of astrophysical sources, such as blazars, via ALP-photon oscillations in external fields near the source and in the Galactic magnetic field. In this contribution, we explore ALP-photon oscillation effects in the spectrum of the blazar Markarian 421. This work was performed using observations of an exceptional gamma-ray flare state from VERITAS and Fermi-LAT. Using these observations, we investigate constraints on the two parameters defining the ALP, namely its mass and coupling constant.

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Axion-like Particle Searches with IACTs

Cited by 5 publications

References 82 publications

Gamma rays: propagation and detection

Gamma rays: propagation and detection

Probing Quantum Gravity with Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes

Search for Axion-Like Particles with Observations of the Blazar Markarian 421 with VERITAS and Fermi-LAT

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