arXiv subjects

Joerg Jaeckel

Publications and source records attributed to Joerg Jaeckel.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Testing Antimatter Couplings with Spectroscopy

We investigate how scalar-mediated potentials with Lorentz-violating couplings to Standard Model fermions affect spectroscopic observables in atoms and highly charged ions. Suitable combinations of an ordinary scalar and a time-like component of a Lorentz violating vector coupling allow for a split into "matter" and "antimatter" couplings, at least in the non-relativistic limit. By considering hydrogen and antihydrogen spectra, we access both matter and antimatter couplings. While relativistic effects alone lift degeneracies in ordinary hydrogen, providing indirect access to antimatter couplings, comparisons with antihydrogen measurements lead to significantly improved sensitivity to the antimatter couplings. In highly charged ions, enhanced relativistic effects further amplify the sensitivity, compensating for reduced experimental precision and larger theoretical uncertainties. We obtain the strongest bounds to date for scalar masses $m_\phi \gtrsim 400\:\mathrm{keV}$. For comparison, we estimate astrophysical constraints on the same parameter space, providing strong bounds even on antimatter couplings, despite stars being predominantly composed of matter.

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arXiv2026

Stochastic Tsunamis: Diffuse Scalar Background from Black Hole Formation

Massive astrophysical objects can source huge static configurations of a scalar field. When such an object ends up forming a black hole, for instance, via a core-collapse supernova, the scalar field loses its source abruptly; then the static configuration becomes dynamical and propagates away in a burst, a "scalar tsunami". These bursts accumulate over cosmological history, forming a relic stochastic diffuse scalar background peaked in the $1-10^3~\text{Hz}$ range. We propose this as a novel mechanism for the generation of such a background, compute its spectrum, and compare it with the sensitivity of future experiments. We show how this extends the experimental sensitivity to scalar masses $m_\phi\lesssim 10^{-13}~\text{eV}$, ten orders of magnitude larger than those accessible via individual transient events previously considered.

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arXiv2026

Constraining Multiple Kinetically Mixed Dark Photons

Extra U(1) gauge bosons under which Standard Model particles are uncharged, aka dark photons, are a simple and well-motivated extension of the Standard Model. There could be a single, but also several or even many such dark photons. However, most studies consider only a single dark photon. Here, we want to look at the more general case of multiple dark photons interacting with the Standard Model via kinetic mixing. We consider a range of standard probes, Cavendish experiments, light-shining-through-walls experiments, as well as energy loss in stars. To explore the rather high-dimensional parameter space of the masses and the kinetic mixing matrix, we pursue a statistical approach, considering different distributions for the kinetic mixing parameters.

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arXiv2026

Scalar Tsunamis from Black Hole Formation

Stars and other macroscopic objects may be surrounded by potentially large field configurations of very light scalars coupled to ordinary matter. If the star ends in a black hole, e.g. via a supernova or a neutron star merger, the source vanishes, and the field is released. In this paper, we improve on previous estimates for the field configurations arriving at large distances by including the effects of general relativity and an improved modelling of the initial field configurations. The total amount of energy released is typically of the same order of magnitude as suggested by simple flat space estimates. The spectrum receives noticeable corrections.

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arXiv2025

Multiple Axions in Laboratory Experiments

Axions and axion-like particles generically appear in extensions of the Standard Model. While many searches assume only a single axion species, there may exist a whole spectrum of multiple such fields. We develop general formulas for axion-photon oscillations in the presence of multiple axions and analyze the implications for experimental searches, including light-shining-through-a-wall experiments, helioscopes and haloscopes. We demonstrate that axion multiplicity can qualitatively alter observational signatures, particularly through coherence and interference effects. Multiple axions can not only enhance signals compared to single axion scenarios, but also suppress them. We show that variations of experimental parameters and searches allow identifying contributions of multiple axions and obtaining information about their properties.

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arXiv2025

The String Theory Photoverse

String theory compactifications come with numerous $U(1)$ factors, implying the presence of many hidden photons in the low-energy EFT. One may call this the ``string photoverse''. We argue that, generically, these hidden photons are massless and do not couple to any light dark current such that, naively, kinetic mixing with the Standard Model is unobservable. The leading interactions of these ``superhidden'' photons are then dimension-6 dipole operators which couple them to quarks or leptons and the Higgs field. This induces magnetic and electric dipole moments with respect to both the superhidden photons as well as, through kinetic mixing, to the Standard Model photon. We derive these couplings by dimensionally reducing the fermionic action of 7-branes realizing the Standard Model: In the first step to 6d theories on intersection curves and then, in the presence of fluxes, to our 4d chiral EFT. We analyze how experiments and observations can employ this effect to place lower bounds on the string scale, which is relevant for compactifications with very large volumes. Finally, we briefly discuss how supersymmetry implies the presence of relatively light photinos and hence an accompanying ``photinoverse'', which may be observed via renormalizable mixing effects.

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arXiv2025

Stringent Constraints on New Pseudoscalar & Vector Bosons from Precision Hyperfine Splitting Measurements

Axion-like particles and similar new pseudoscalar as well as vector bosons coupled to nucleons and electrons are predicted to lead to spin-dependent forces in atoms and ions. We argue that hyperfine structure measurements in hydrogen- and lithium-like charge states are a sensitive probe to this effect. Employing specific differences of these splittings reduces uncertainties due to nuclear effects in hyperfine structure calculations and measurements. Using this, we show that existing measurements on Be provide competitive limits in the region $m_{\phi}\gtrsim 100 {\rm keV}$, confirming, or improving by up to a factor of 2, existing constraints for pseudoscalar couplings, depending on the nuclear model. We also find that future measurements on Cs have a further factor of $2-2.5$ improved discovery potential for pseudoscalars and an order of magnitude for new vector bosons when compared with the corresponding current constraints.

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arXiv2025

Enhanced Axion-wind near Earth's Surface

Several detection strategies for wave-like dark matter make use of gradients in the dark matter field, e.g. searches for spin-dependent derivative interactions in CASPEr-wind or experiments looking for oscillating forces. These gradients are usually suppressed by the local dark matter velocity $\sim 10^{-3}$. In this note we investigate how these gradients are modified in the presence of additional quadratic interactions of the dark matter field with ordinary matter. In this case the dark matter density and field are modified in the vicinity of Earth, affecting the detection sensitivity due to the change in the local field value at the Earth's surface but also due to the gradient of the field profile itself. We also use this opportunity to present results on the expected field profiles in presence of a non-vanishing relative velocity of the dark matter with respect to Earth. We also comment how this ameliorates the divergences that appear for certain attractive coupling values.

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arXiv2025

Freezing-in the Pure Dark Axion Portal

A $Z_2$ symmetry under which "dark'' and "visible'' fields transform differently can further seclude already dark particles. In a dark sector consisting of an axion-like particle and a dark photon the dominant interaction can then be via a dark photon-axion portal to the ordinary photon. If the axion is lighter than the dark photon it naturally emerges as a viable dark matter candidate. We explore its freeze-in production both in a standard high reheating temperature and weak coupling as well as a low reheating temperature and strong coupling regime. Cosmological constraints are taken into account to identify viable regions in parameter space. For the strong freeze-in regime, we highlight the possibility of probing it at B-factories. We also briefly discuss a potential misalignment contribution to the dark matter density and delineate under which conditions it can be neglected.

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arXiv2024

On the time-dependent density of quadratically coupled dark matter around ordinary matter objects

Wave-like dark matter may feature quadratic couplings to ordinary matter. This carries profound consequences for the phenomenologies of such models. It changes the dark matter density around dense objects made from ordinary matter such as planets and stars, thereby changing the sensitivity of direct detection experiments on Earth as well as implying forces on other ordinary matter objects in the vicinity. In this note we study the time dependence of the dark matter field around spherical objects of ordinary matter. This work indicates the time-scale on which accelerating objects settle into a stationary state and delineates the applicability of stationary solutions for experimental dark matter tests. We also use this to understand (and effectively eliminate) the infinities in energies, forces, and pressures that appear when naively comparing the total energy around objects with different size but the same total number of ordinary matter particles.

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arXiv2024

Star Shearing Season -- Transient Signals in Wave-like Dark Matter Experiments from Black Hole Formation

Ordinary matter coupled to light weakly interacting bosons can lead to the formation of a macroscopic bosonic field in the vicinity of large matter concentrations such as ordinary or neutron stars. When these objects are turned into black holes due to a supernova or a binary merger this ''hair'' could be ''shorn'' off. Part of the field configuration would then be released leading to an outgoing field wave. For small masses this field transient remains rather compact and can induce a transient signal in experiments, in particular those that look for wave-like dark matter. This signal can be correlated with the corresponding astrophysical signal of the event. In this note, we consider a variety of couplings and the associated signals and estimate the corresponding sensitivities.

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arXiv2024

Field Redefinitions in Classical Field Theory with some Quantum Perspectives

In quantum field theories, field redefinitions are often employed to remove redundant operators in the Lagrangian, making calculations simpler and physics more evident. This technique requires some care regarding, among other things, the choice of observables, the range of applicability, and the appearance and disappearance of solutions of the equations of motion (EOM). Many of these issues can already be studied at the classical level, which is the focus of this work. We highlight the importance of selecting appropriate observables and initial/boundary conditions to ensure the physical invariance of solutions. A classical analogue to the Lehmann-Symanzik-Zimmermann (LSZ) formula is presented, confirming that some observables remain independent of field variables without tracking redefinitions. Additionally, we address, with an example, the limitations of non-invertible field redefinitions, particularly with non-perturbative objects like solitons, and discuss their implications for classical and quantum field theories.

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arXiv2024

Ultimate light-shining-through-a-wall experiments to establish QCD axions as the dominant form of dark matter

Establishing the axion as the dark matter (DM) particle after a haloscope discovery typically requires follow-up experiments to break the degeneracy between the axion's coupling to photons and its local DM abundance. Given that a discovery would justify more significant investments, we explore the prospects of ambitious light-shining-through-a-wall (LSW) setups to probe the QCD axion band. Leveraging the excellent mass determination in haloscopes, we show how to design LSW experiments with lengths on the order of 100 km and suitably aligned magnetic fields with apertures of around 1 m to reach well-motivated axion models across up to four orders of magnitude in mass. Beyond presenting a concrete plan for post-discovery experimental efforts, we briefly discuss complementary experiments and future directions beyond LSW experiments.

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arXiv2024

Using Axion Miniclusters to Disentangle the Axion-photon Coupling and the Dark Matter Density

Dark matter direct (and indirect) detection experiments usually can only determine a specific combination of a power of the coupling and the dark matter density. This is also true for axion haloscopes which are sensitive to the product $g^{2}_{aγγ}ρ_{\rm DM}$, the combination of axion-photon coupling squared and the dark matter density. In this note we show, that in the lucky case when we intersect with a so-called axion minicluster of a suitable size, we can utilize the spectral information available in haloscopes to determine the gravitational potential of the minicluster. We can then use this to measure separately the coupling and the density of the minicluster.

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arXiv2024

Small Kinetic Mixing in String Theory

Kinetic mixing between gauge fields of different $U(1)$ factors is a well-studied phenomenon in 4d EFT. In string compactifications with $U(1)$s from sequestered D-brane sectors, kinetic mixing becomes a key target for the UV prediction of a phenomenologically important EFT operator. Surprisingly, in many cases kinetic mixing is absent due to a non-trivial cancellation. In particular, D3-D3 kinetic mixing in type-IIB vanishes while D3-anti-D3 mixing does not. This follows both from exact CFT calculations on tori as well as from a leading-order 10d supergravity analysis, where the key cancellation is between the $C_2$ and $B_2$ contribution. We take the latter approach, which is the only one available in realistic Calabi-Yau settings, to a higher level of precision by including sub-leading terms of the brane action and allowing for non-vanishing $C_0$. The exact cancellation persists, which we argue to be the result of $SL(2,\mathbb{R})$ self-duality. We note that a $B_2C_2$ term on the D3-brane, which is often missing in the recent literature, is essential to obtain the correct zero result. Finally, allowing for $SL(2,\mathbb{R})$-breaking fluxes, kinetic mixing between D3-branes arises at a volume-suppressed level. We provide basic explicit formulae, both for kinetic as well as magnetic mixing, leaving the study of phenomenologically relevant, more complex situations for the future. We also note that describing our result in 4d supergravity appears to require higher-derivative terms - an issue which deserves further study.

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arXiv2023

Searching Dark Photons using displaced vertices at Belle II -- with backgrounds

Dark photons in the MeV to GeV range with kinetic mixing of the order of $\lesssim 10^{-4}-10^{-3}$ can be produced in significant numbers at low energy colliders such as Belle II. Their decay length can be macroscopic raising the hope for a fairly clean search via displaced vertices as proposed in Ref. [1]. However, even this is not background free. Here, we calculate and discuss problematic backgrounds from displaced photon conversion and discuss their potential impact on the sensitivity. In addition we also briefly consider the dangers of prompt backgrounds.

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arXiv2023

Riding the dark matter wave: Novel limits on general dark photons from LISA Pathfinder

We note the possibility to perform a parametrically improved search for gauged baryon ($B$) and baryon minus lepton ($B-L$) Dark Photon Dark Matter (DPDM) using auxiliary channel data from LISA Pathfinder. In particular we use the measurement of the differential movement between the test masses (TMs) and the space craft (SC) which is nearly as sensitive as the tracking between the two TMs. TMs and SC are made from different materials and therefore have different charge-to-mass ratios for both $B-L$ and $B$. Thus, the surrounding DPDM field induces a relative acceleration of nearly constant frequency. For the case of $B-L$, we find that LISA Pathfinder can constrain previously unexplored parameter space, providing the world leading limits in the mass range $4\cdot 10^{-19}\,\text{eV}<m<3\cdot 10^{-17}\,\text{eV}$. This limit can easily be recast also for dark photons that arise from gauging other global symmetries of the SM.

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arXiv2023

Axion Helioscopes as Solar Thermometers

Axions, if discovered, could serve as a powerful new messenger for studying astrophysical objects. In this study we show how the Sun's spatial and spectral "axion image" can be inverted to infer the radial dependence of solar properties in a model-independent way. In particular, the future helioscope IAXO may allow us to accurately reconstruct the Sun's temperature profile $T(r)$ in the region up to about 80% (40%) of the solar radius for an axion-photon coupling $g_{aγγ}$ of $6 \times 10^{-11}$ GeV$^{-1}$ ($10^{-11}$ GeV$^{-1}$). The statistical fluctuations in the photon data lead to a median precision of better than 10% (16%) in this region, and the corresponding median accuracy was better than 4% (7%). While our approach can simultaneously infer the radial profile of the Debye scale $κ_\text{s}(r)$, its weaker connection to the axion production rate leads to median accuracy and precision of worse than 30% and 50%, respectively. We discuss possible challenges and improvements for realistic setups, as well as extensions to more general axion models. We also highlight advantages of helioscopes over neutrino detectors.

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