Generation of Axions and Axion-Like Particles through Mass Parametric Resonance induced by Scalar Perturbations in the Early Universe

Abstract: Axions and axion-like particles can be generated in the early universe through misalignment production, thermal processes, the decay of topological defects, etc. In this paper, we show that scalar perturbations in the early universe could produce a significant amount of these particles primarily through mass parametric resonance effects. Scalar perturbations induce temperature fluctuations during the particle mass transition era, e.g. during the QCD phase transition. These temperature fluctuations modulate the particle mass, transferring energy into the field through a parametric mass resonance, which is a nonlinear effect. This process exhibits a substantially unstable region that could lead to explosive particle production. Notably, this mechanism does not generate additional isocurvature perturbations.