SEARCH FOR SOLAR AXIONS

Abstract

We have searched for a flux of axions produced in the Sun by exploiting their conversion to x rays in a static magnetic field. The signature of a solar axion flux would be an increase in the rate of x rays detected in a magnetic telescope when the Sun passes within its acceptance. From the absence of such a signal we set a 3sigma limit on the axion coupling to two photons g(alphagammagamma) = 1/M < 3.6 x 10(-9) GeV-1, provided the axion mass m(alpha) < 0.03 eV, and < 7.7 x 10(-9) GeV-1 for 0.03 < m(alpha) < 0.11 eV.