Constraints on the Dark Photon Parameter Space from Leptonic Rare Kaon Decays

TL;DR

This paper investigates how rare kaon decays can be used to constrain the parameter space of dark photons, which are hypothetical particles that could explain anomalies in cosmic rays and the muon's magnetic moment.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method to set limits on dark photon parameters using rare kaon decay data, enhancing the search for physics beyond the Standard Model.

Findings

New limits on dark photon parameters derived from kaon decay data

Analysis of the decay $K\rightarrow \mu \nu A'$ as a signal process

Motivates future rare kaon decay experiments to explore dark photon parameter space

Abstract

With anomalies found in cosmic ray observations and unsolved questions of the Standard Model of particle physics like the discrepancy in the muon's anomalous magnetic moment, the idea of an U(1) extension of the Standard Model arose. This extension allows for the interaction of Dark Matter by exchange of a photon-like massive force carrier $A'$ not included in the Standard Model. We discuss the possibility to constrain the dark photon parameter space by using data taken from rare kaon decays. Therefore we analyze the decay $K\rightarrow \mu \nu A'$ as a signal process and calculate the expected Standard Model background. Using these results we calculate new limits on the $A'$ parameter space, providing motivations for new rare kaon decay experiments to extend the existing $A'$ bounds.