Axion mixing in the string axiverse

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Authors: Haijun Li, Yu-Feng Zhou
Cited by: 0

Abstract

String axiverse provides a fascinating and complex landscape for axion physics. The requirement in type IIB string axiverse models necessitates at least two axions to ensure the presence of both a QCD axion candidate and an additional axion-like particle (ALP). In this work, we study axion mass mixing and adopt a bottom-up perspective to investigate what conditions an axion model must satisfy in order to exhibit maximal mixing -- the scenario where the degree of effective mixing is maximized. We find that maximal mixing occurs when the masses of all ALPs are smaller than the zero-temperature mass of the QCD axion, with no two ALP masses being equal, and when the decay constants of all ALPs are uniformly either smaller or larger than the decay constant of the QCD axion. Additionally, the transfer of axion energy density ultimately takes place only between the two axions with the closest masses. These findings provide critical insights into axion dynamics not only within type IIB string axiverse models but also in broader multi-axion mixing frameworks. The potential cosmological implications of axion mass mixing are also addressed at the end.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Random lasers and scattering media Dark Matter and Cosmic Phenomena Cosmology and Gravitation Theories

Publication details

Journal / source
Nuclear Physics B
Volume
1029
Pages
117574–117574
Publication date
28 June 2026
Language
EN