Electromagnetic couplings of dark domain walls

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Authors: Nemanja Kaloper
Cited by: 3
References: 37

Abstract

We extend Maxwell electrodynamics with a Chern-Simons coupling to a dark-sector top form sourced by domain walls. Cosmic birefringence can arise from a distinct mechanism in which photon polarization is rotated when crossing vacuum interfaces rather than through adiabatic propagation in a background field. Ultrathin walls induce a finite, frequency-independent polarization rotation generated by an electromagnetic Chern-Simons term localized at the interface. The effect persists even in the absence of ultralight axions or other propagating scalar degrees of freedom. For phenomenologically viable parameters, such walls can generate cosmic microwave background polarization rotation at the level Δ ϑ ∼ 10 − 3 rad , providing a signature of the topological structure of the dark-sector vacuum.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Photonic Crystals and Applications Quantum optics and atomic interactions Metamaterials and Metasurfaces Applications

Publication details

Journal / source
Physical review. D/Physical review. D.
Publisher
American Physical Society (APS)
Volume
114
Issue
1
Publication date
11 June 2026
Language
EN