Axion corrections to photon superradiant scattering by Kerr black holes

We study photon superradiant scattering by a Kerr black hole in the presence of an axion-photon coupling and investigate how this coupling modifies the electromagnetic amplification factor. We solve the coupled axion and electromagnetic equations in a fully relativistic framework. We distinguish two regimes according to the relation between the sourced axion frequency and the axion mass. In the radiative regime, the axion can propagate to spatial infinity and carry away energy, thereby suppressing photon amplification. In the subthreshold regime, the axion is confined by the mass barrier and exchanges energy with the black-hole horizon through quasibound-state excitations. In this regime, photon amplification can be either enhanced or suppressed, depending on whether the relevant axion modes satisfy the superradiance condition.

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Authors

Zhi-Qing Zhu; Jun Zhang

Published

Sep 30, 2026

Paper type

preprint

Source

Arxiv