Axion thermalization in the early universe

2002/03/31 by Eduard Massó, Eduard Masso, Francesc Rota +1 · 6 citations
Physics and Astronomy · #Cosmology and Gravitation Theories #Dark Matter and Cosmic Phenomena #Particle physics theoretical and experimental studies #astro-ph #hep-ph

paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/physrevd.66.023004

published as Phys.Rev. D66 (2002) 023004 · 13 pages, 3 figures. Latex-file. References added and other minor corrections. Accepted for publication in Phys.Rev.D. Revised version matches publication in journal

arxiv created 2002/05/24 · openalex publication_date 2002/07/16 · arxiv updated 2009/11/30 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01

Abstract

We reanalyze the conditions under which we have a primordial thermal population of axions. We extend a previous study and take into account processes involving gluons and quarks. We conclude that if the Peccei-Quinn scale satisfies F_a<1.2\ifmmode×\else\texttimes\fi10¹² GeV there is thermal axion production. In this case, a period in the early universe exists where axions would interact with the QCD plasma and we point out that nonthermal axions produced before the end of this period would thermalize.

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