Events

Date: 3 September 2026   Time: 14:00 - 15:00

Location: Room 610 G. O Building Building

Title: Axions, Monopoles, and Gravity

Abstract: Phenomenological interest in axions originated from its potential to solve long-standing questions including the strong CP problem, their position as a candidate of dark matter, and their natural introduction through string compactifications. As several models appear to contain sequential symmetry breaking, the potential effects of axion theories on cosmology through their prediction of early universe defect formation gained it cosmological attention. These defects are expected to contain information about the theory's vacuum structure, to link to the formation of primordial black holes, and to produce detectable signals through the catalysis of exotic processes. This talk reviews the modern intrigue of axion cosmology, and explores the unique effect of an axionic background on monopoles, which is thought to be able to form a stable state in flat space. The consequences of introducing gravitational effects to the system is then analysed; the talk summarises with a commentary on the diverse theoretical, phenomenological, cosmological, and astrophysical relevance of such a line of inquiry. Specifically, the UV extension of this topic through the moduli dynamics of the core monopole will be briefly discussed, which might allow a more complete consideration of stability, as well as relate to a more general understanding of defects through the UV link between quantum field theory and gravity.