First result of the experimental search for the 9.4 keV solar axion reactions with Kr-83 in the copper proportional counter

Abstract

The experimental search for solar hadronic axions is started at the Baksan Neutrino Observatory of the Institute for Nuclear Researches Russian Academy of Science. It is assumed that axions are created in the Sun during M1-transition between the first thermally excited level at 9.4 keV and the ground state in Kr-83. The experiment is based on axion detection via resonant absorption process by the same nucleus in the detector. The big copper proportional counter filled with krypton is used to detect signals from axions. The experimental setup is situated in the deep underground low background laboratory. No evidence of axion detection were found after the 26.5 days data collection. Resulting new upper limit on axion mass is m_{A} < 130 eV at 95% C.L.