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Igor I. Tkachev

Publications and source records attributed to Igor I. Tkachev.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2025

Search for dark-matter axions beyond the quantum limit: the Cosmological Axion Sarov Haloscope (CASH) proposal

Firmly established in astrophysical observations, dark matter evades direct detection in experiments. Axions and axion-like particles are among the leading dark-matter candidates, and numerous attempts to detect them in laboratories have been performed. Here, we propose to advance these efforts substantially, extending the sensitivity for dark-matter axions in the mass range $(38-54)~μ$eV down to the axion-photon couplings $g_{aγγ}\lesssim \left(10^{-14}-10^{-15}\right)$ GeV$^{-1}$, motivated by generic models of Quantum Chromodynamics axion. Single-photon detectors operating at ultra-low temperatures are key elements of the experiment. The projected sensitivity will be reached in one year of data taking with magnetic field of $(1-10)$ T, making Cosmological Axion Sarov Haloscope (CASH) the most sensitive haloscope in this mass range.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2014

Fast Radio Bursts and Axion Miniclusters

Non-linear effects in the evolution of the axion field in the early Universe may lead to the formation of gravitationally bound clumps of axions, known as "miniclusters". Minicluster masses should be in the range $M_{\rm mc}\sim10^{-12} M_\odot$, and in plausible early-Universe scenarios a significant fraction of the mass density of the Universe may be in the form of axion miniclusters. Here I argue that observed properties (total energy release, duration, high brightness temperature, event rate) of recently discovered Fast Radio Bursts can be matched in a model which assumes explosive decay of axion miniclusters.

astro-ph.HE↗
arXiv2008

Quantum scale invariance on the lattice

We propose a scheme leading to a non-perturbative definition of lattice field theories which are scale-invariant on the quantum level. A key idea of the construction is the replacement of the lattice spacing by a propagating dynamical field -- the dilaton. We describe how to select non-perturbatively the phenomenologically viable theories where the scale invariance is broken spontaneously. Relation to gravity is also discussed.

hep-th↗
arXiv2004

Turbulent Thermalization

We study, analytically and with lattice simulations, the decay of coherent field oscillations and the subsequent thermalization of the resulting stochastic classical wave-field. The problem of reheating of the Universe after inflation constitutes our prime motivation and application of the results. We identify three different stages of these processes. During the initial stage of ``parametric resonance'', only a small fraction of the initial inflaton energy is transferred to fluctuations in the physically relevant case of sufficiently large couplings. A major fraction is transfered in the prompt regime of driven turbulence. The subsequent long stage of thermalization classifies as free turbulence. During the turbulent stages, the evolution of particle distribution functions is self-similar. We show that wave kinetic theory successfully describes the late stages of our lattice calculation. Our analytical results are general and give estimates of reheating time and temperature in terms of coupling constants and initial inflaton amplitude.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2000

Standard Model Neutrinos as Warm Dark Matter

Standard Model neutrinos are not usually considered plausible dark matter candidates because the usual treatment of their decoupling in the early universe implies that their mass must be sufficiently small to make them ``hot'' dark matter. In this paper we show that decoupling of Standard Model neutrinos in low reheat models may result in neutrino densities very much less than usually assumed, and thus their mass may be in the keV range. Standard Model neutrinos may therefore be warm dark matter candidates.

hep-ph↗
arXiv1999

Probing Planckian physics: resonant production of particles during inflation and features in the primordial power spectrum

The phenomenon of resonant production of particles {\it after} inflation has received much attention in the past few years. In a new application of resonant production of particles, we consider the effect of a resonance {\em during} inflation. We show that if the inflaton is coupled to a massive particle, resonant production of the particle during inflation modifies the evolution of the inflaton, and may leave an imprint in the form of sharp features in the primordial power spectrum. Precision measurements of microwave background anisotropies and large-scale structure surveys could be sensitive to the features, and probe the spectrum of particles as massive as the Planck scale.

hep-ph↗
arXiv1999

Ultra High Energy Cosmic Rays and Inflation Relics

There are two processes of matter creation after inflation that may be relevant to the resolution of the puzzle of cosmic rays observed with energies beyond GZK cut-off: 1) gravitational creation of superheavy (quasi)stable particles, and 2) non-thermal phase transitions leading to formation of topological defects. We review both possibilities.

hep-ph↗
arXiv1998

Star Wreck

Electroweak models with low-energy supersymmetry breaking predict the existence of stable non-topological solitons, Q-balls, that can be produced in the early universe. The relic Q-balls can accumulate inside a neutron star and gradually absorb the baryons into the scalar condensate. This causes a slow reduction in the mass of the star. When the mass reaches a critical value, the neutron star becomes unstable and explodes. The cataclysmic destruction of the distant neutron stars may be the origin of the gamma-ray bursts.

hep-ph↗
arXiv1997

Evolution of the Order Parameter after Bubble Collisions

If a first-order phase transition is terminated by collisions of new-phase bubbles, there will exist a period of nonequilibrium between the time bubbles collide and the time thermal equilibrium is established. We study the behavior of the order parameter during this phase. We find that large nonthermal fluctuations at this stage tend to restore symmetry, i.e., the order parameter is smaller than its eventual thermal equilibrium value. We comment on possible consequences for electroweak baryogenesis.

astro-ph↗
arXiv1994

Large-amplitude isothermal fluctuations and high-density dark-matter clumps

Large-amplitude isothermal fluctuations in the dark matter energy density, parameterized by $Φ\equivδ\rhodm/\rhodm$, are studied within the framework of a spherical collapse model. For $Φ\ga 1$, a fluctuation collapses in the radiation-dominated epoch and produces a dense dark-matter object. The final density of the virialized object is found to be $ρ_F \approx 140\, Φ^3 (Φ+1) \rhoeq$, where $\rhoeq$ is the matter density at equal matter and radiation energy density. This expression is valid for the entire range of possible values of $Φ$, both for $Φ\gg 1$ and $Φ\ll 1$. Some astrophysical consequences of high-density dark-matter clumps are discussed.

astro-ph↗
arXiv1993

Non-Linear Axion Dynamics and Formation of Cosmological Pseudo-Solitons

The $(3+1)$-dimensional evolution of an inhomogeneous axion field configuration around the QCD epoch is studied numerically, including important non-linear effects due to the attractive self-interaction. It is found that axion perturbations on scales corresponding to causally disconnected regions at $T \sim 1 \, {\rm GeV}$ can lead to very dense pseudo-soliton configurations we call axitons. These configurations evolve to axion miniclusters with present density $ρ_a \ga 10^{-8}\,{\rm g \, cm^{-3}}$. This is high enough for the collisional $2a \rightarrow 2a$ process to lead to Bose--Einstein relaxation in the gravitationally bound clumps of axions, forming Bose stars.

astro-ph↗
arXiv1993

Axion Miniclusters and Bose Stars

Evolution of inhomogeneities in the axion field around the QCD epoch is studied numerically, including for the first time important non-linear effects. It is found that perturbations on scales corresponding to causally disconnected regions at $T \sim 1 \, {\rm GeV}$ can lead to very dense axion clumps, with present density $ρ_a \ga 10^{-8}\,{\rm g \, cm^{-3}}$. This is high enough for the collisional $2a \rightarrow 2a$ process to lead to Bose--Einstein relaxation in the gravitationally bound clumps of axions, forming Bose stars.

hep-ph↗