Dark matter map of KiDS survey region (region G12). Credit: KiDS survey

Dark energy and dark matter comprise 96 percent of the total mass of the universe. Two main hypotheses about the nature of dark matter are presently debated. One posits that dark matter consists of massive compact halo objects; the other ascribes this property to weakly interacting mass particles.

Professor Alexander Balakin and Ph.D. candidate Dmitry Groshev support the second viewpoint, but note that it's probable that dark matter comprises axions, pseudo-Goldstone bosons capable of interacting with photons.

Dmitry Groshev says, "The interesting trait of axion electrodynamics is that modified electromagnetism equations allow for the existence of effects that would not be possible in the classic Faraday-Maxwell theory. One such effect is the emergence of axion dyons, objects with parallel radially oriented electric and magnetic fields."

Dyon magnetospheres can exhibit the Pannekoek-Rosseland effect. The essence of the phenomenon is that spatial distribution of electric charges happens in equilibrium isothermal plasma under the influence of a gravitational field—heavier ions with positive charges descend under the lighter electrons. This radially oriented electric field is known as the Pannekoek-Rosseland electric field. Such a field, then, is not present in the electron-positron plasma because positive and negative charge carriers have equal masses. Axion dyons can demonstrate stratification of electron-positron plasma and specific distribution of magnetic fields.

"We are currently directing our efforts at formulating concrete proposals for astrophysicists to help them find traces of axions in star plasma, and possibly, decipher one of the most important riddles of the modern space research—identifying the particles that comprise dark matter," concludes Professor Balakin.

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More information: Alexander B. Balakin et al, Polarization and stratification of axionically active plasma in a dyon magnetosphere, Physical Review D (2019). Journal information: Physical Review D Alexander B. Balakin et al, Polarization and stratification of axionically active plasma in a dyon magnetosphere,(2019). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevD.99.023006