New Exclusion Limits for Dark Gauge Forces from Beam-Dump Data (1104.2747v1)

Abstract: We re-analyze proton beam dump data taken at the U70 accelerator at IHEP Serpukhov with the $\nu$-calorimeter I experiment in 1989 to set mass-coupling limits for dark gauge forces. The corresponding data have been used for axion and light Higgs particle searches in Refs. before. We determine new mass and coupling exclusion bounds for dark gauge bosons.

New Exclusion Limits for Dark Gauge Forces from Beam-Dump Data

The paper by Johannes Bl\"umlein and J\"urgen Brunner addresses the re-analysis of proton beam dump data utilizing the $\nu$-calorimeter I experiment at the U70 accelerator, aimed at setting new exclusion limits for dark gauge bosons. The research explores long-range forces rooted in $U(1)$ gauge symmetries beyond those prescribed by the Standard Model, hypothesizing the presence of a new $U(1)$ gauge boson, denoted as $\gamma'$. The analysis provides invaluable contributions to the ongoing investigation into hidden sector particles, often posited within extensions of the Standard Model.

Theoretical Framework and Production Process

The theoretical foundation revolves around the hypothesis of dark gauge forces mediated by a new vector boson $\gamma'$ with masses within the MeV-GeV range. The Lagrangian is expanded beyond the Standard Model, introducing mixing between the new dark sector and the Standard Model's $U(1)_Y$ field strength, entailing parameters such as the mixing parameter $\epsilon$ which can span values from $10^{-23}$ to $10^{-2},$ influenced by specific model assumptions.

For production scenarios, the mechanism primarily involves the decay of $\pi^0$ mesons generated in proton beam dumps, through the process $\pi^0 \rightarrow \gamma' \gamma'$. The cross-section for $\gamma'$ production relies heavily on the coupling constant and phase space constraints $(1 - m_{\gamma'}^2/m_{\pi^0}^2)^3$. The parameterization of meson production, including $\pi^{0}$, considers empirical data from proton-proton collision experiments, adjusted with scaling laws pertinent to proton-nucleus interactions.

Methodology and Experimental Setup

The beam dump experiment entailed extensive use of the $\nu$-calorimeter I detector, configured to register electromagnetic showers from hypothetical $\gamma'$ decay to $e^+e^-$. This involved setting stringent selection criteria for event characterization, including energy and angular thresholds to distinguish candidate events from prevalent backgrounds. The experimentation amassed $1.71 \times 10^{18}$ protons on target, cataloguing isolated shower events compatible with standard electromagnetic profiles following the cuts established.

Results and Exclusion Limits

The analysis meticulously maps the exclusion regions on the $m_{\gamma'}-\epsilon$ parameter plane, demonstrating robust numerical exclusions where signal events significantly exceed background expectations. The empirical findings contribute to demarcating the boundaries of $\epsilon$ values, spanning from $10^{-3}$ to $10^{-7}$. Notably, the investigation touches upon specific regions relevant to theoretical models, such as those aligning with the DAMA/LIBRA experiment, probing into bands where dark matter theories could manifest as viable candidates through $\gamma'$ mediation.

Implications and Future Perspectives

The paper's implications resonate across both experimental and theoretical domains. The exclusion limits bolster the constraints on $\gamma'$ mass and coupling, refining the parameter space within which hidden sector particles could plausibly exist. This re-analysis adds dimension to existing constraints and potentially shapes future experimental approaches, assisting in narrowing searches toward unexplored regions on the parameter map.

Continued exploration and enhanced detector specifications might provide further inroads into detecting or constraining hidden particles. As advancements in detector technology and data analytical methodologies emerge, the prospects for deeper investigations into these elusive phenomena grow increasingly promising, offering substantial opportunities for breakthroughs in our understanding of physics beyond the standard narrative.