Searching for axions with time resolved pulsar polarimetry
Abstract
Pulsars possess strong dipole magnetic fields that can source axion fields through the axion-photon interaction. Pulsars may therefore be surrounded by axion field configurations oscillating with the pulsar’s rotational period. These axions could be detected by observing their effect on the polarization of the pular’s emission. In this paper, we use time resolved observations of the optical polarization of the Crab pulsar to place bounds on the axion-photon coupling, demonstrating the potential of time resolved pulsar birefringence in the search for axions.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Dark Matter and Cosmic Phenomena
Pulsars and Gravitational Waves Research
Cosmology and Gravitation Theories
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Physical review. D/Physical review. D.
- Publisher
- American Physical Society (APS)
- Volume
- 113
- Issue
- 12
- Publication date
- 8 May 2026
- Language
- EN