The 2009 Fermi Symposium

The Search of Axion-Like-Particles With Fermi and Cherenkov Telescopes

Miguel Angel Sanchez-Conde

Abstract:

Axion Like Particles (ALPs), postulated to solve the strong-CP problem in Particle Physics, may play a crucial role in the correct interpretation of gamma-ray astronomical observations as well as in the solution of the dark matter problem. They are predicted to couple with photons in the presence of magnetic fields, which may lead to a significant change in the observed spectra of gamma-ray sources such as AGNs. Indeed, this mechanism could explain recent puzzles regarding the observed spectra of distant gamma-ray sources as well as the recently published lower limit to the EBL intensity. Here we summarize the different signatures expected in an scenario with axions and discuss the best strategy to search for ALPs with the Fermi satellite and with current Cherenkov telescopes.