Dark-Sector Search via Pion-Produced <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mml:mi>η</mml:mi></mml:math> and <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mml:msup><mml:mi>η</mml:mi><mm

We present the first results from a proof-of-concept search for dark sectors via invisible decays of pseudoscalar η and η^{'} mesons in the NA64h experiment at the CERN SPS. Our novel technique uses the charge-exchange reaction of 50 GeV π^{-} on nuclei of an active target as the source of neutral mesons. The η,η^{'}→invisible events would exhibit themselves via a striking signature-the complete disappearance of the incoming beam energy in the detector. No evidence for such events has been found with 2.9×10^{9} pions on target accumulated during one day of data taking. This allows us to set a stringent limit on the branching ratio Br(η^{'}→invisible)<2.1×10^{-4} improving the current bound by a factor of ≃3. We also set a limit on Br(η→invisible)<1.1×10^{-4} comparable with the existing one. These results demonstrate the great potential of our approach and provide clear guidance on how to enhance and extend the sensitivity for dark sector physics from future searches for invisible neutral meson decays.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Physical Review Letters
Published
2024-09-20
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.133.121803
Citations
8
Primary Topic
Dark Matter and Cosmic Phenomena
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
5.28

Funders

Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Dark-Sector Search via Pion-Produced <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mml:mi>η</mml:mi></mml:math> and <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mml:msup><mml:mi>η</mml:mi><mm

A. Marini, A. Antonov, S. Kuleshov, Valery E. Lyubovitskij et al.
8 citations
Physical Review Letters
Dark Matter and Cosmic Phenomena
5.28
article

Dark-Sector Search via Pion-Produced <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mml:mi>η</mml:mi></mml:math> and <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mml:msup><mml:mi>η</mml:mi><mm

A. Marini, A. Antonov, S. Kuleshov, Valery E. Lyubovitskij, M. Tuzi, D. Banerjee, Orlando Javier Soto Sandoval, A. S. Zhevlakov, G. Kekelidze, E. Depero, B. Ketzer, L. Marsicano, M. Mongillo, D. V. Peshekhonov, Y. Kambar, S. Gninenko, S.V. Donskov, B. Banto Oberhauser, R. R. Dusaev, V. Yu. Volkov, M. Ayala-Torres, M. Kirsanov, Vassili Kachanov, K. Salamatin, V. A. Kramarenko, H. Sieber, V. N. Frolov, I. Tlisova, D. Cooke, T. Enik, A. Dermenev, I. V. Voronchikhin, P. Bisio, V. A. Polyakov, J. Bernhard, D. Shchukin, S. Girod, M. Hösgen, V. D. Samoylenko, P. Crivelli, A. Celentano, N. Charitonidis, S. V. Gertsenberger, R. Mena Fredes, R. G. Mena Yanssen, A. Toropin, J. A. Zamora Saa, V. Matveev, V. O. Tikhomirov, L. Kravchuk, L. Molina Bueno, V.N. Kolosov, B. Radics, D. Kirpichnikov, A. Karneyeu, P. Volkov, N. Krasnikov, Yu. M. Andreev
article en
8 citations

Abstract

We present the first results from a proof-of-concept search for dark sectors via invisible decays of pseudoscalar η and η^{'} mesons in the NA64h experiment at the CERN SPS. Our novel technique uses the charge-exchange reaction of 50 GeV π^{-} on nuclei of an active target as the source of neutral mesons. The η,η^{'}→invisible events would exhibit themselves via a striking signature-the complete disappearance of the incoming beam energy in the detector. No evidence for such events has been found with 2.9×10^{9} pions on target accumulated during one day of data taking. This allows us to set a stringent limit on the branching ratio Br(η^{'}→invisible)<2.1×10^{-4} improving the current bound by a factor of ≃3. We also set a limit on Br(η→invisible)<1.1×10^{-4} comparable with the existing one. These results demonstrate the great potential of our approach and provide clear guidance on how to enhance and extend the sensitivity for dark sector physics from future searches for invisible neutral meson decays.

Physical Review LettersVol. 133(12)
University of Bonn (DE), Universidad Andrés Bello (CL), York University (CA), Millennium Institute (BR), Institute of Particle Physics (CA), Instituto de Física Corpuscular (ES), Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María (EC), University College London (GB), European Organization for Nuclear Research (CH), University of La Serena (CL), University of Genoa (IT)
CERN, Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung, Federación Española de Enfermedades Raras, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo, Agencia Estatal de Investigación, Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Científico y Tecnológico, H2020 European Research Council
Openalex Percentile: Top 3%
Dark Matter and Cosmic Phenomena
5.28
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.