This one‑afternoon workshop brings together researchers working at the interface of axion physics and Lattice QCD. Owing to the recent developments, predictions for the axion mass have been significantly improved and the role of cosmological aspects clarified. Particular attention will be devoted to topology, θ‑dependence, topological susceptibility, and onto the possibility of recent lattice advances to further sharpening predictions in these areas.
Moreover, the workshop will address the recent challenge posed by a proposed GeV‑scale axion scenario in which the up‑quark mass arises dynamically from the QCD condensate, implying that the axion could be hidden among known pseudoscalar resonances. Resolving this question conclusively will require dedicated lattice studies of the corresponding deformed QCD theory.
The workshop aims to highlight recent progress, clarify open problems, and identify opportunities for new breakthroughs at the intersection of axion theory and Lattice QCD.
This activity is part of the Theoretical Phenomenology Visiting Institute @ LNF, running from 23 to 27 March 2026 and from 7 to 10 April 2026, and supported by CSN4 to promote the participation of early-career scientists.
Keynote speakers:
Claudio Bonanno (Bern) "Non-perturbative QCD inputs for axion phenomenology: status and perspectives" (at 14:00)
Luca Di Luzio (INFN-Padova) "QCD axion at the QCD scale?"
Alessio Notari (Sapienza) "Thermal Production of QCD Axions from the Early Universe"
Discussion leaders: Giovanni Villadoro (ICTP), Giacomo Landini (INFN-LNF) and Enrico Nardi (LNF)