LHC probes the hidden sector

TL;DR

This paper uses LHC data from 2011 and 2012 to set new limits on various hidden sector models, including hidden gauge bosons, axion-like particles, and millicharged particles, across a range of energies.

Contribution

It provides the first comprehensive constraints on multiple hidden sector particles using LHC data, covering different interaction types and final states.

Findings

New constraints on hidden U(1) gauge bosons from GeV to TeV scales.

Limits on scalar and pseudo-scalar particles, including axion-like particles.

Constraints on particles with fractional electric charge.

Abstract

In this note we establish LHC limits on a variety of benchmark models for hidden sector physics using 2011 and 2012 data. First, we consider a "hidden" U(1) gauge boson under which all Standard Model particles are uncharged at tree-level and which interacts with the visible sector either via kinetic mixing or higher dimensional operators. Second, we constrain scalar and pseudo-scalar particles interacting with the Standard Model via dimension five operators and Yukawa interactions, in particular including so-called axion-like particles. In both cases we consider several different final states, including photons, electrons, muons and taus, establishing new constraints for a range of GeV to TeV scale masses. Finally, we also comment on particles with electric charges smaller than e that arise from hidden sector matter.