Constraining MeV-scale axion-like particles with Fermi-LAT observations of SN 2023ixf

Abstract

The Fermi-LAT observations of SN 2023ixf, a Type II supernova in the nearby Pinwheel Galaxy, Messier 101 (M101), presents us with an excellent opportunity to constrain MeV-scale Axion-Like Particles (ALPs). By examining the photon decay signature from heavy ALPs that could be produced in the explosion, the existing constraints on the ALP-photon coupling can be improved, under optimistic assumptions, by up to a factor of $\sim 2$ for masses $m_a\lesssim 3$ MeV. Under very conservative assumptions, we find a bound that is slightly weaker than the existing ones for $m_a\lesssim 0.5$ MeV. The exact reach of these searches depends mostly on properties of the SN progenitor. This study demonstrates the relevance of core-collapse supernovae, also beyond the Magellanic Clouds, as probes of fundamental physics.

Comments: 10 pages, 2 figures. Matching version accepted in PRD