On a Search for Hidden Photon CDM by a Multi-Cathode Counter

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel Multi-Cathode Counter technique to search for hidden photon cold dark matter in the 5 eV to 10 keV mass range, based on electron emission caused by photon mixing.

Contribution

The paper proposes a new detection method using MCC for hidden photon dark matter, with preliminary results and ongoing improvements.

Findings

Set upper limits for hidden photon mixing parameter in 5 eV to 10 keV range

Demonstrated dependence of effects on metal work function and electronic structure

Developed a prototype detector for future refined measurements

Abstract

We report on a new technique of a Multi-Cathode Counter (MCC) developed to search for hidden photon (HP) cold dark matter (CDM) with a mass from 5 to 500 eV. The method is suggested in the assumption that HP-photon mixing causes emission of single electrons from a metal cathode if the mass of hidden photon is greater than a work function of the metal. The measured effect from HP should be dependent on work function of the metal and on the structure of electronic shells of the metal used as a cathode. Potentially this can be used for a verification of the results obtained. Some preliminary results for the upper limit for mixing parameter X have been obtained for HP with a mass from 5 eV to 10 keV as a pure illustration of the potential of this technique. The efforts are continued to refine the procedure of data treatment and to improve the work of MCC. A new detector with a more developed design is under construction.