arXiv subjects

Sourov Roy

Publications and source records attributed to Sourov Roy.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Constraints on High-Frequency Gravitational Waves from Graviton-Photon Conversion in the M87 Galaxy

High-frequency gravitational waves, particularly in the range $f \gtrsim 10^{10}~\mathrm{Hz}$, represent a compelling probe of physics beyond the Standard Model. Due to the absence of direct detection methods in this frequency regime, alternative strategies may be pursued. One promising approach involves the conversion of gravitons into photons in the presence of magnetic fields, a process known as the inverse Gertsenshtein effect. In this study, we explore such graviton-to-photon conversions occurring within the magnetic field environment of the M87 galaxy, utilizing realistic models for the galactic magnetic field and plasma density structure. We use the broadband electromagnetic spectrum of M87, ranging from millimeter to TeV gamma rays, to search for hidden contributions from graviton-photon conversions. In the well-constrained frequency range $10^{10}$-$10^{27}~\mathrm{Hz}$, the lack of excess emission allows us to place improved bounds on the gravitational wave strain amplitude $h_c$ or on spectral energy density $\Omega_{\mathrm{gw}} h^2$. We find that our results from M87 yield substantially stronger constraints compared to existing bounds derived from Milky Way magnetic field considerations, with improvements ranging from one to five orders of magnitude depending on the frequency band, thereby enhancing the prospects for probing high-frequency gravitational wave backgrounds through indirect electromagnetic signatures.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2026

Limits on the axion-photon coupling from Chandrayaan-2 observations

Axions and axion-like particles (ALPs) have gained immense attention in searches for beyond Standard Model (BSM) physics. Experiments searching for axions leverage their predicted couplings to Standard Model (SM) particles to look for observable signals. Though weak, these couplings allow axions to be produced abundantly in the interiors of stars such as the Sun. Once created, axions can escape the Sun and while passing through the solar atmosphere, oscillate into photons in the magnetic field producing x-rays. For the first time, we used data from the observation of soft x-rays from the quiet Sun during the 2019-20 solar minimum by the solar x-ray monitor (XSM), onboard India's Chandrayaan-2 lunar exploration mission, to constrain the coupling of axions to photons ($g_{a γγ}$). Using the latest models of the solar atmosphere to calculate the magnetic field and plasma frequency, we constrain $g_{a γγ} \lesssim (0.50 - 2.26) \times 10^{-10}$ GeV$^{-1}$ at $95\%$ confidence level for axion masses $m_a \lesssim 5 \times 10^{-4}$eV.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2026

Translating current ALP photon coupling strength bounds to the Randall-Sundrum model

In this article, we look at the current bounds on the coupling strength of axion-like particles (ALPs) with two photons in the context of the Randall-Sundrum (RS) model. We relate the coupling strength to the compactification radius that governs the size of the extra dimension in the RS warped geometry model and show how the current bounds on the ALP can be used to derive appropriate constraints on the size of the extra fifth dimension in the RS model. We show that the resulting constraints fail to resolve the gauge hierarchy problem for light/ultralight ALPs and require a massive ALP of at least $m_{a} \gtrsim 0.1$ [GeV] to be relevant in the context of the hierarchy problem when the gauge field is in the bulk.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2026

An EFT origin of Secluded Dark Matter

The present study aims to unveil a scenario with a non-minimal secluded dark sector (DS) in an effective field theory (EFT) framework. To explore this, we have examined a suitable extension of the type-X Two Higgs Doublet Model (2HDM) as a potential origin for the secluded DS. The DS comprises a dark matter (DM) candidate and a mediator particle `$a$' and possesses some non-minimal characteristics. It becomes non-thermally populated through diverse dim-6 four-Fermi operators, effectively generated by integrating out the heavier Higgs particles. The analysis further focuses on the consequences of the collision processes $\textit{DM}+ a \leftrightarrow a + a$ and $\textit{DM}+ \textit{DM} \leftrightarrow a + a$ occurring within the DS. We have investigated the significance of employing an EFT approach in tracking the temperature evolution of the DS. Within the present framework, the observed relic abundance of the DM can be realized through both dark freeze-out and freeze-in mechanisms. Further, we have delineated the permissible ranges of the relevant parameters, viz., the DM mass ($m_χ\gtrsim 20 \, \text{GeV}$), the portal coupling ($C_τ\lesssim 10^{-14}\, \text{GeV}^{-2}$), and the DS coupling ($λ\lesssim 10^{-6} \,\text{GeV}^{-2}$) by taking into account the perturbativity of the involved couplings while reproducing the observed DM relic and complying with the bounds from a successful Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN) and $γ$-ray searches.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2026

Photon-dark photon oscillation in M87 and Crab Nebula environments

Compact astrophysical systems such as neutron stars and black holes provide powerful laboratories for testing feebly coupled dark photons (DPs). We investigate light DPs kinetically mixed with the visible photon that need not be the dark matter, focusing on resonant photon-DP oscillations in magnetized, modeled plasma environments. We show that realistic non-monotonic plasma density profiles generically enhance resonant conversion relative to monotonic models, leading to substantially stronger constraints on the photon-DP kinetic mixing parameter ($ε$). Using spectral data from the supermassive black hole (SMBH) M87*, extending to the LOFAR band, we derive a bound $ε\simeq 7\times10^{-6}$ at the DP mass $m_{A'} \simeq 5\times10^{-7}\,\mathrm{eV}$ for oscillation distance $3r_{\rm ph}$, where $r_{\rm ph}$ denotes the photon sphere radius. From the Crab pulsar-wind Nebula, we obtain an even stronger constraint, $ε\simeq 8\times10^{-7}$ at $m_{A'} \simeq 4\times10^{-9}\,\mathrm{eV}$ for oscillation baselines of order $10^{3}\,\mathrm{km}$, surpassing existing astrophysical limits in realistic plasma backgrounds. While laboratory and cosmological bounds remain slightly stronger at comparable masses, observation of compact objects with larger surface magnetic fields and measurements of photon spectra at lower frequencies would enhance the limits on the photon-DP coupling by orders of magnitude.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2026

ALP and $Z^\prime$ boson at the Electron-Ion collider

We study the sensitivity of the upcoming electron-ion (EIC) collider to purely electrophilic new physics in the GeV mass range. Within an effective field theory framework, we consider two different scenarios: an axion-like particle (ALP) and a new heavy neutral vector gauge boson $Z^\prime $, each couples to electrons only. We analyze electron-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}= 141$ GeV with an integrated luminosity of $100~{\rm fb}^{-1}$, focusing primarily on the tri-electron final state. Additionally, loop-induced ALP-photon couplings driven photon final states are also explored. Incorporating realistic detector effects and systematic uncertainties, we obtain projected exclusion limits on the relevant cross-sections and couplings. We find that the results from EIC can significantly extend the sensitivity to electrophilic axion-like particles and $Z^\prime $ bosons in regions of parameter space that remain weakly constrained by existing experiments.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2025

Echoes in multi-ALP scenarios

We present a theoretical study of axion echoes in the context of multiple ALP models. We begin by reviewing the single ALP case, deriving the conditions for resonance and echo formation. Starting from a set of $N$ ALPs coupled to the photon, we then derive the relevant echo equations for both coherent and incoherent configurations. In the former case, we show that the echo power scales with $N$ leading to sharper amplification and potentially improving sensitivity estimates discussed earlier in literature. Small mass splittings between the ALPs further increase this amplification, even for a $N=2$ case. In the incoherent scenario, we show that the random phases lead to a suppression of the echo power, eventually resulting in observable signals akin to or even weaker than the single ALP case. We also outline the potential experimental implications of our results and discuss prospects for detecting these echoes in a wide range of ALP masses.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2025

Constraining Inflation via FIMP dark matter using the $β$-function with collider implications

The present study connects inflation and freeze-in type dark matter (DM) within the same setup. Although the observables in these two phenomena lie at vastly different energy scales, they have been properly handled using the RG running of couplings. For studying DM and inflation, the SM has been minimally extended by introducing an abelian dark gauge symmetry and a dark singlet scalar. In studying inflation, the SM Higgs doublet has been considered as the inflaton, which has a non-minimal coupling with the Ricci scalar. All inflationary observables have been computed at the horizon exit scale and constrained using the Planck data. Moreover, inflationary constraints have revealed strong correlations among model parameters, significantly reducing the allowed parameter space. In particular, in the Higgs mixing angle and BSM Higgs mass plane, only those values that ensure the Higgs quartic coupling remains above 0.18 are allowed. The additional gauge boson serves as a suitable DM candidate, produced via the freeze-in mechanism and stabilised by charge conjugation symmetry. The upper bound on the DM relic density further shrinks the parameter space allowed from inflationary constraints, becoming even narrower if we assume that the present vector DM constitutes the total DM density. Since DM interactions are feeble, it remains safe from all terrestrial experimental constraints. Additionally, the feeble dark matter coupling requires the dark Higgs-Ricci scalar non-minimal coupling to be negligible to satisfy Higgs inflation conditions. Finally, we have explored collider aspects and found that the trilinear and quartic Higgs vertices deviate from their SM values after incorporating inflation and DM constraints. Therefore, once we measure $κ_{3,4}$ at the future collider, we can establish the robustness of the Higgs inflation scenario.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2025

Constraining eV-scale axion-like particle dark matter: insights from the M87 Galaxy

Axion-like particles (ALPs) can account for the observed dark matter (DM) of the Universe and if their masses are at the eV scale, they can decay into infrared, optical and ultraviolet photons with a decay lifetime larger than the age of the Universe.We analyze multi-wavelength data obtained from the central region of Messier 87 (M87) galaxy by several telescopes, such as, Swift, Astrosat, Kanata, Spitzer and International Ultraviolet Explorer in the infrared to ultraviolet frequencies ($\sim 2\times10^{14} \, {\rm Hz} - 3\times10^{15}$ Hz), to constrain the narrow emission lines indicative of the eV scale ALP DM decay. We derive constraints on the ALP coupling to two photons ($g_{aγγ}$) for ALP mass range $2 \, {\rm eV} \lesssim m_a \lesssim 20 \, {\rm eV}$, assuming ALPs form the DM in the M87 halo. We find that our bounds on ALP-two-photon coupling can become stronger than the existing ones by an order of magnitude in the ALP mass range $8 \, {\rm eV} \lesssim m_a \lesssim 20 \, {\rm eV}$.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2025

Electroweak Phase Transition in a Right-Handed Neutrino Superfield Extended NMSSM

Supersymmetric models with singlet extensions can accommodate single- or multi-step first-order phase transitions (FOPT) along the various constituent field directions. Such a framework can also produce Gravitational Waves, detectable at the upcoming space-based interferometers, e.g., U-DECIGO. We explore the dynamics of electroweak phase transition and the production of Gravitational Waves in an extended set-up of the Next-to-Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (NMSSM) with a Standard Model singlet right-handed neutrino superfield. We examine the role of the new parameters compared to NMSSM on the phase transition dynamics and observe that the occurrence of a FOPT, an essential requirement for Electroweak Baryogenesis, typically favours a right-handed sneutrino state below 125 GeV. Our investigation shows how the analysis can offer complementary probes for physics beyond the Standard Model besides the collider searches.

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arXiv2024

Cosmic inflation and $(g-2)_μ$ in minimal gauged $L_μ-L_τ$ model

The minimal $U(1)_{L_μ-L_τ}$ gauge symmetry extended Standard Model (SM) is a well motivated framework that resolves the discrepancy between the theoretical prediction and experimental observation of muon anomalous magnetic moment. We envisage the possibility of identifying the beyond Standard Model Higgs of $U(1)_{L_μ-L_τ}$ sector, non-minimally coupled to gravity, as the inflaton in the early universe, while being consistent with the $(g-2)_μ$ data. Although the structure seems to be trivial, we observe that taking into consideration of a complete cosmological history starting from inflation through the reheating phase to late-time epoch along with existing constraints on $U(1)_{L_μ-L_τ}$ model parameters leave us a small window of allowed reheating temperature. This further results into restriction of $(n_s-r)$ plane which is far severe than the one in a generic non-minimal quartic inflationary set up.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2024

Exploring Axions through the Photon Ring of a Spherically Symmetric Black Hole

In this study, we examine the phenomenon of photon axion conversion occurring in the spacetime surrounding a black hole. Specifically, we focus on the potential existence of a magnetic field around the supermassive black hole M87*, which could facilitate the conversion of photons into axions in close proximity to the photon sphere. While photons traverse through the curved spacetime, they spend time near the photon sphere, where conversion of these photons into axions takes place. Consequently, this process leads to a decrease in the intensity of the black hole's photon ring. To explore the possibilities of detecting these hypothetical axion particles, we propose observing the photon sphere using higher resolution telescopes. By doing so, we can gain valuable insights into the conversion mechanism as well as the nature of the spherically symmetric black hole geometry. Moreover, we also investigate how the photon ring luminosities are affected if the black hole possesses a charge parameter. For instance apart from U(1) electric charge, the presence of extra dimension may induce a {\em tidal charge} with a characteristic signature. It is important to note that the success of the conversion mechanism relies on the axion-photon coupling and mass. As a result, the modified luminosity of the black hole's photon ring offers a valuable means of constraining the axion's mass and coupling parameter within a certain range. Thus our findings contribute to a better understanding of photon axion conversion in the environment of a black hole spacetime and helps us explore the possible existence of extra spatial dimension.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2024

Can leptophilic-ALP be a solution to the muon $(g-2)$ anomaly?

In the light of recent measurement of muon $(g-2)$, we investigate the phenomenological implications of an axion-like particle (ALP) which only couples to the standard model charged leptons. We find that in a narrow mass range of ALP, it can alleviate the tension between the theoretical prediction and experimental observation of $(g-2)_μ$ once we consider all possible one and two-loop diagrams. In particular, ALP can either explain the muon $(g-2)$ anomaly for $5\,{\rm GeV} \lesssim m_a \lesssim 6 \,{\rm GeV}$ while satisfying the other experimental constraints, or be restricted by it.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2024

Signatures of Solar Chameleons in the Earth's Magnetic Field

Chameleon dark energy models are a popular alternative to the standard cosmological constant model. These models consist of a new light degree of freedom, called chameleon, with a density dependent mass and a non-trivial coupling to both matter and photons. Owing to these couplings, chameleons can be produced inside the sun. However due to their density dependent mass, the chameleons produced in the solar core are screened and cannot escape whereas those produced outside the solar core, such as in the \textit{tachocline} region with energies of the order of few a keV, can escape from the sun and travel all the way towards Earth. Hence the Earth is expected to receive a flux of \textit{solar chameleons}. In this work we propose a \textit{light shining through wall} (LSW) type of experiment in which the Earth itself acts as a wall. Both photons and chameleons are incident on the light side of the Earth. While all the photons are stopped by the Earth, only a fraction of the chameleons are stopped by the earth due to screening. Those chameleons which are not screened by the earth pass directly through the Earth and exit the night side. Here these chameleons interact with the geomagnetic field and convert into X-ray photons. A space based X-ray telescope orbiting the Earth can detect these X-ray photons, while passing through the night side, thereby acting as a detector in this LSW type experiment. We show that such a kind of setup can be complementary to other terrestrial experiments looking for chameleons.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2023

Searching for relativistic axions in the sky

Relativistic axions produced in decays of ${\mathcal O}(10^{-7}-10^{-2}$ $\text{eV})$ dark matter (DM) partially convert to photons after traversing the galactic magnetic field, giving rise to a signal observable by the Square Kilometer Array (SKA) radio telescope. We show that for axions lighter than a few $\times$ $10^{-13}$ eV a 100 h SKA observation of the local dwarf galaxy Seg I would probe parameter space not constrained by stellar cooling and cosmological observations, with sensitivity several orders of magnitude better than the planned dedicated axion dark matter search experiments. We quantify the uncertainties in the SKA sensitivity projections due to two effects that enhance the radio flux: the presence of turbulent magnetic fields inside the galaxy, and the Bose enhancement of the DM decays to axions, where the latter, in particular, warrants further study.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2023

Secluded Dark Sector and Muon $(g-2)$ in the Light of Fast Expanding Universe

The lack of information before Big Bang Neucleosynthesis (BBN) allow us to assume the presence of a new species $ϕ$ whose energy density redshifts as $a^{-(4+n)}$ where $n>0$ and $a$ is the scale factor. This non-standard cosmological setup facilitates a larger portal coupling $(ε)$ between the dark and the visible sectors even when the two sectors are not in thermal equilibrium. Here, we have considered $U(1)_{L_μ-L_τ}\otimes U(1)_X$ gauge extension of the Standard Model (SM) and studied different phases of the cosmological evolution of a thermally decoupled dark sector such as leak-in, freeze-in, reannihilation, and late-time annihilation in the presence of fast expansion. Due to the tree level kinetic mixing between $U(1)_X$ and $U(1)_{L_μ-L_τ}$ gauge bosons, the dark sector couples with the $μ$ and $τ$ flavored leptons of the SM. We show that in our scenario it is possible to reconcile the dark matter relic density and muon $(g-2)$ anomaly. In particular, we show that for $2\times 10^{-4} \lesssim ε\lesssim 10^{-3}$, $5.5{\rm MeV} \lesssim m_{Z^\prime} \lesssim 200{\rm MeV}$, $n=4$, and $1{\rm TeV} \lesssim m_χ\lesssim 10{\rm TeV}$ relic density constraint of dark matter, constraint from muon $(g-2)$ anomaly, and other cosmological, astrophysical constraints are satisfied.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2022

Baryon asymmetry and lower bound on right handed neutrino mass in fast expanding Universe: an analytical approach

The expansion rate of the Universe deviates from its standard value when the total energy density includes contribution from a new scalar field apart from the radiation energy density. The non-trivial modifications incurred in the Boltzmann equations render the well known analytical solutions unsuitable in non standard scenario. In the present study we derive analytical expressions for the efficiency factor (which is nothing but solution of set of Boltzmann equations) using certain legible approximations. A fair degree of accuracy of these formulas have been observed by juxtaposing the analytical results with that obtained through numerical solution of Boltzmann equations. Faster expansion of the Universe results in decrement of the effective decay parameter which brings down the amount of washout of asymmetry due to inverse decay. Thus in non-standard cosmology scenario, a larger fraction of the asymmetry (generated at early epoch) is expected to survive till present epoch. Alteration of the cosmology does not affect the underlying particle physics model responsible for the generation of the CP asymmetry. Therefore starting from an identical particle physics model we will end up with a larger final baryon asymmetry in the non-standard scenario. It hints towards the possible relaxation of the lower bound of the lightest right handed neutrino mass required to produce adequate asymmetry which is in agreement with current experimental data.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2022

Imprints of MeV Scale Hidden Dark Sector at Planck Data

New light species can contribute to the number of effective relativistic degrees of freedom ($N_{\rm eff}$) at Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) which is precisely measured by Planck. In this work, we consider an MeV scale thermally decoupled non-minimal dark sector and study the imprint of the dark sector dynamics on the measurement of $N_{\rm eff}$ at the time of CMB formation. We have predicted the allowed region of model parameter space in the light of constraints arising from the measurements of both $N_{\rm eff}$ and dark matter relic density by Planck. It turns out that the impact of the dark sector dynamics on $N_{\rm eff}$ is significant in case of a non-hierarchical mass spectrum of the dark sector particles.

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