Dark photons are hypothetical massive vector particles that could mix with ordinary photons. The simplest theoretical model is fully characterised by only two parameters: the mass of the dark photon mγD and its mixing parameter with the photon, ε. The sensitivity of the SHiP detector is reviewed for dark photons in the mass range between 0.002 and 10 GeV. Different production mechanisms are simulated, with the dark photons decaying to pairs of visible fermions, including both leptons and quarks. Exclusion contours are presented and compared with those of past experiments. The SHiP detector is expected to have a unique sensitivity for mγD ranging between 0.8 and 3.3-0.5+0.2 GeV, and ε2 ranging between 10 - 11 and 10 - 17.
Sensitivity of the SHiP experiment to dark photons decaying to a pair of charged particles
Congedo L.;De Serio M.;Galati G.;Pastore A.;Simone S.;
2021-01-01
Abstract
Dark photons are hypothetical massive vector particles that could mix with ordinary photons. The simplest theoretical model is fully characterised by only two parameters: the mass of the dark photon mγD and its mixing parameter with the photon, ε. The sensitivity of the SHiP detector is reviewed for dark photons in the mass range between 0.002 and 10 GeV. Different production mechanisms are simulated, with the dark photons decaying to pairs of visible fermions, including both leptons and quarks. Exclusion contours are presented and compared with those of past experiments. The SHiP detector is expected to have a unique sensitivity for mγD ranging between 0.8 and 3.3-0.5+0.2 GeV, and ε2 ranging between 10 - 11 and 10 - 17.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
