Axion Dark Matter

The axion is an hypothetical particle introduced more than 40 years ago to explain the absence of large time-reversal symmetry violations in strong nuclear interactions. If it exists it could easily explain one of the present mysteries of our Universe, the nature of dark matter.  While the axion dynamics is governed by extremely simple equations it gives rise to a plethora of fascinating and complex effects, some of which have important consequences both for experimental searches
and for the evolution of the Universe.  After introducing the basic notions of axion physics and the status of experimental searches I will discuss recent developments in the understanding of the dynamics and evolution of axion dark matter.

Host: Wei Xue