1:30 pm MCP 201
What is the QCD axion mass?
The QCD axion is a hypothetical particle that may solve the Strong CP problem and constitute the dark matter (DM) abundance in our Universe. Peccei-Quinn (PQ) axions may form axion strings if the PQ phase transition occurs after inflation. After a broad introduction to axions, I will discuss recent advances in the computation of the QCD axion DM mass in this scenario from the most precise and accurate lattice simulations to-date of axion-string networks, leading to a predicted mass range of 40 - 300 µeV. On the other hand, string theory axions, which are compelling solutions to the PQ quality problem, do not generically form strings - except in special inflationary paradigms such as brane inflation - meaning that there is no unique predicted value for the QCD axion DM mass. Nonetheless, if a Grand Unified Theory is assumed, I will explain why in broad regions of the string landscape, the mass of a stringy QCD axion is expected to be ~ 0.01 to 10 neV, independently of its DM fraction.