[Paper Review] Solar paraphotons

S. Troitsky|arXiv (Cornell University)|Dec 22, 2011

Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics3 references4 citations

TL;DR

The paper proposes a novel discovery channel for paraphotons—hidden-sector gauge bosons—by simultaneously observing solar flares with conventional instruments and axion helioscopes. It suggests that correlated signals in both types of detectors could reveal paraphoton production via kinetic mixing with standard model photons in the Sun's high-temperature plasma.

ABSTRACT

I revisit the question of production of paraphotons, or hidden photons, in the Sun and suggest that a simultaneous observations of solar flares by conventional instruments and by axion helioscopes may provide a discovery channel for paraphotons.

Motivation & Objective

• To explore the production of paraphotons in the solar plasma environment.
• To identify a viable detection strategy for hidden photons using existing solar observation infrastructure.
• To leverage the synergy between axion helioscopes and solar flare detectors to enhance sensitivity to paraphotons.
• To address the challenge of detecting weakly coupled hidden-sector particles in astrophysical settings.

Proposed method

• Modeling paraphoton production in the Sun through kinetic mixing with standard model photons.
• Analyzing the emission of paraphotons during solar flare events due to enhanced plasma conditions.
• Proposing a dual-detection strategy combining data from conventional solar flare instruments and axion helioscopes.
• Evaluating the signal-to-noise ratio for paraphoton detection under realistic solar and detector conditions.
• Using the kinetic mixing interaction Lagrangian to estimate production rates and detectability.
• Assessing the feasibility of observing correlated signals between standard electromagnetic emissions and paraphoton-induced signals in helioscopes.

Experimental results

Research questions

• RQ1 Can paraphotons be produced in the Sun's plasma during solar flare events?
• RQ2 Is there a detectable signal in axion helioscopes that correlates with conventional solar flare observations?
• RQ3 What is the sensitivity of current helioscope technology to paraphoton production via kinetic mixing?
• RQ4 How do plasma conditions in solar flares enhance the production rate of paraphotons?
• RQ5 Can the simultaneous observation of solar flares and helioscope data provide a discovery channel for hidden photons?

Key findings

• Paraphotons can be produced in the Sun via kinetic mixing with photons, particularly during high-temperature solar flare events.
• The production rate of paraphotons is enhanced in the dense, hot plasma of solar flares due to increased photon conversion efficiency.
• A simultaneous observation campaign using axion helioscopes and conventional solar instruments offers a viable discovery channel for paraphotons.
• Correlated signals between electromagnetic emissions and helioscope responses could distinguish paraphoton signals from background noise.
• The method provides a model-independent probe of hidden-sector gauge bosons without requiring new detector technology.
• The approach is sensitive to a broad range of paraphoton masses and kinetic mixing parameters relevant to hidden photon models.