First constraints on QCD axion dark matter using James Webb Space Telescope observations

2025/03/14 by Elena Pinetti, Pinetti, Elena · 2 voices · 5 citations
Physics and Astronomy · #Astronomy and Astrophysical Research #Axion #Dark Matter and Cosmic Phenomena #Dark matter #James Webb Space Telescope #Parameter space #Quantum chromodynamics #Range (aeronautics) #Scientific Research and Discoveries #Space (punctuation) #astro-ph.CO #hep-ph

paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2503.11753

published in arXiv (Cornell University) (Cornell University)

openalex publication_date 2025/03/14 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05

Abstract

I present the first constraints on QCD axion dark matter using measurements from the James Webb Space Telescope. By utilizing publicly available MIRI and NIRSpec blank-sky observations, originally collected for sky subtraction purposes, I derive strong limits on the axion-photon coupling constant g_{a γγ} in the mass range 0.1-4 eV. These constraints improve upon previous studies by more than two orders of magnitude for a range of masses. This analysis underscores the potential of blank-sky observations as a powerful tool for constraining dark matter models and demonstrates how astrophysical missions can be repurposed for particle physics research.

Citations

• The Mid-Infrared Instrument for theJames Webb Space Telescope, VI: The Medium Resolution Spectrometer
• The Structure of Dark Matter Halos in Dwarf Galaxies
• The Mid-Infrared Instrument for theJames Webb Space Telescope, I: Introduction

Cited by

• Novel Light Dark Matter Detection with Quantum Parity Detector Using Qubit Arrays
• Axion-Induced Casimir Interaction Between Graphene Plates
• Neutrino masses, matter-antimatter asymmetry, dark matter, and supermassive black hole formation explained with Majorons
• New bounds on Axion-Like Particles in the Ultraviolet from Legacy Data
• Searching for the QCD Dark Matter Axion
• Dark matter decay signals in cosmic filaments

Discussions

• Constraining QCD axion dark matter from #JWST background observations with MIRI & NIRSpec - cool new paper from Elena Pinetti arxiv.org/abs/2503.11753. Not my wheelhouse - expert opinions v welcome! [bsky, 28 points, 3 comments]
• Nice! JWST, axions and the 0.1-1 eV window from Pinetti 🧪⚛️ arxiv.org/abs/2503.11753 [bsky, 10 points, 0 comments]

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