Transparency of the Sun to Gamma Rays due to Axionlike Particles

Abstract

It is shown that the Sun can become partially transparent to high energy photons in the presence of a pseudoscalar. In particular, if the axion interpretation of the PVLAS result were true, then up to 2% of GeV energy gamma rays might pass through the Sun, while an even stronger effect is expected for some axion parameters. We discuss the possibilities of observing this effect. Present data are limited to the observation of the solar occultation of 3C 279 by the Energetic Gamma-Ray Experiment Telescope in 1991; 98% C.L. detection of a nonzero flux of gamma rays passing through the Sun is not yet conclusive. Since the same occultation happens every October, future experiments, e.g., the Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope, are expected to have better sensitivity.