28–30 Jan 2026
Europe/Rome timezone

Axion Quality: Challenges and Pathways to Improvement

29 Jan 2026, 16:30
12m

Speaker

Federico Mescia (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare)

Description

In this talk I begin by introducing the axion solution to the strong CP problem and the associated axion‑quality puzzle, namely the challenge of protecting the Peccei–Quinn (PQ) symmetry from dangerous explicit breaking. I then present a Pati–Salam–based model where an accidental high‑quality PQ symmetry emerges from the interplay of vertical and horizontal gauge symmetries. The setup predicts light anomalons whose interactions and early‑universe production provide a potential low‑energy probe of the dynamics protecting axion quality.

Author

Federico Mescia (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare)

Presentation materials