Axion-sourced fireballs from supernovae

Abstract

This study revisits bounds on axion-like particles (ALPs) derived from supernovae, where they may be generated in stellar interiors before decaying to photons. Past works have used observations from SN1987A to exclude ALP masses of 10s of MeV, due to the absence of a signal in the Gamma Ray Spectrometer aboard the Solar Maximum Mission satellite. The present paper argues that such particles would generate a fireball of plasma around the supernova, ultimately leading to a much lower energy photon signal, thus invalidating the old bounds in this scenario. However, the authors find that data from the Pioneer Venus Orbiter can be used to set similar limits.