Anharmonic Evolution of the Cosmic Axion Density Spectrum

Abstract

We present analytic solutions to the spatially homogeneous axion field equation, using a model potential which strongly resembles the standard anharmonic $(1-\cos N\theta)$ potential, but contains only a piece-wise second order term. Our exactly soluble model for $\theta(t)$ spans the entire range $[-\pi/N,\pi/N]$. In particular, we are able to confirm (i) Turner's numeric correction factors \cite{Turner} to the adiabatic and harmonic analytic treatments of homogeneous axion oscillations, and (ii) Lyth's estimate \cite{Lyth} valid near the metastable misalignment angle $\pi/N$ at the peak of the potential. We compute the enhancement of axion density fluctuations that occurs when the axion mass becomes significant at $T\sim 1$ GeV. We find that the anharmonicity amplifies density \mbox{f}luctuations, but only significantly for relatively large initial misalignment angles. The enhancement factor is $\sim$ (2,3,4,13) for $\theta_{\rm in}\sim (0.85,0.90,0.95,0.99)\times\pi$.