SearcharxivSearch

arXiv · 1905.12182

Sublunar-Mass Primordial Black Holes from Closed Axion Domain Walls

Abstract

We study the formation of primordial black holes (PBHs) from the collapse of closed domain walls (DWs) which naturally arise in QCD axion models near the QCD scale together with the main string-wall network. The size distribution of the closed DWs is determined by percolation theory, from which we further obtain PBH mass distribution and abundance. Various observational constraints on PBH abundance in turn also constrain axion parameters. Our model prefers axion mass around the meV scale ($f_{a}\sim 10^{9}$ GeV). The corresponding PBHs are in the sublunar-mass window $10^{20}$-$10^{22}$ g (i.e., $10^{-13}$-$10^{-11}M_{\odot}$), one of few mass windows still available for PBHs contributing significantly to dark matter (DM). In our model, PBH abundance could reach $\sim1\%$ or even more of DM, sensitive to the formation efficiency of closed axion DWs.

Explore related subjects

Keep this discovery

BibTeXRIS

Shuailiang Ge. 2019-05-29. Sublunar-Mass Primordial Black Holes from Closed Axion Domain Walls. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dark.2019.100440

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related papers

Axionic Wormholes in Metric-Affine Gravity

The axion is a promising candidate for solving the strong CP problem. To solve this problem, the global U(1) symmetry must be preserved to a high degree of accuracy. However, it is well known that global symmetries are explicitly violated by quantum gravity effects, giving rise to what is referred to as the axion quality problem. In this paper, we investigate axionic wormholes as a source of explicit U(1) violation in Metric-Affine Gravity. This framework allows for spacetime torsion and non-metricity, which accommodate additional curvature-like and topological terms, such as the Holst and Nieh--Yan terms, that are absent from the metric and Palatini formalisms. We show that non-minimal couplings to these terms modify the wormhole dynamics and enhance the Euclidean wormhole action, thereby alleviating the axion quality problem. We also find that the viable parameter space is enlarged when two of these couplings are simultaneously present. We further identify representative parameter regions where the alleviation of the axion quality problem is compatible with inflationary constraints.

hep-ph

Qubit-Qutrit Quantum Tomography of hadronic $\Lambda\phi$ and $\Lambda K^{\ast 0}$ systems

Quantum-information observables have emerged in recent years as new tools in nuclear and particle physics, from entanglement in top-quark pairs to spin correlations in $\Lambda\bar{\Lambda}$ production. Extending these studies to unequal-spin hadronic final states poses a fundamental challenge: the $6\times6$ density matrix of a qubit-qutrit system contains 35 independent spin parameters, but the decays of $\Lambda V$ pairs, with $V=\phi$ or $K^{*0}$, provide access to only 23 due to the hidden vector polarization from the strong decay. In this Letter, we formulate a qubit-qutrit quantum tomography (QQQT) technique for these spin-$\tfrac{1}{2}\otimes1$ systems and establish exact criteria for entanglement certification from the \textit{incomplete} density matrix. Compared with the $\Lambda\bar{\Lambda}$ system, QQQT of $\Lambda\phi$ and $\Lambda K^{*0}$ provides a new probe of nonperturbative QCD hadronization, enabling a direct comparison of the spin evolution of entangled quark pairs produced from the vacuum as they hadronize into a baryon or a vector meson.

hep-ph

Twist decomposition of exclusive heavy meson production cross sections

We study the twist decomposition of the total cross sections for exclusive heavy vector meson electroproduction and photoproduction in the $\gamma^\ast p$ processes, within the leading logarithmic $1/x$ BFKL formalism. The Mellin transforms of the impact factors of the vector meson are calculated. We show that the higher twist contributions are strongly suppressed in the low-$x$ kinematical regime. Possible enhancement of the higher twists effects for nuclei targets is discussed.

hep-ph