Searching for solar axions with SNO

by Prof. Nick Houston (Beijing University of Technology)

Thursday 7 Apr 2022, 15:00 → 16:00 Asia/Shanghai

S408

Axions are a well-motivated aspect of physics beyond the Standard Model, a natural dark matter candidate, and also a generic prediction of string theory. We explore a novel detection channel, using axion-induced dissociation of deuterons into their constituent neutrons and protons. An opportune target for this process is the now-concluded Sudbury Neutrino Observatory (SNO) experiment, which relied upon large quantities of heavy water to resolve the solar neutrino problem. From the full SNO dataset we exclude in a model-independent fashion isovector axion-nucleon couplings > 2 × 10−5/GeV at 95% C.L. for sub-MeV axion masses, covering previously unexplored regions of the axion parameter space. In the absence of a precise cancellation between axion-proton and axion-neutron couplings this result also exceeds comparable constraints from other laboratory experiments, and excludes regions of the parameter space for which astrophysical constraints from SN1987A and neutron star cooling are inapplicable due to axion trapping. Based on Phys.Rev.Lett. 126 (2021) no.9, 091601, arXiv:2004.02733  

Biography:
2011 - 2015: PhD King's College London
2015 - 2018: Postdoc at 中国科学院理论物理研究所
2018 - 2019: Visiting postdoc at 北京大学高能物理研究中心 
2019 - Present: Associate professor at 北京工业大学

Online:
Tencent/VOOV Meeting ID: 421-417-588