Performance of the diamond active target prototype for the PADME experiment at the DA$\Phi$NE BTF

TL;DR

This paper evaluates the performance of a diamond active target prototype for the PADME experiment, demonstrating its potential to improve missing mass resolution in dark photon searches at the DA$ m Phi$NE BTF.

Contribution

The study presents the first performance results of a 2x2 cm² diamond active target with graphitic strips, enhancing the precision of positron bunch position measurement.

Findings

The diamond active target achieved sub-millimeter position resolution.

The prototype demonstrated stable operation during beam tests.

Potential for improved missing mass resolution in dark photon detection.

Abstract

The PADME experiment at the DA$\Phi$NE Beam-Test Facility (BTF) is designed to search for the gauge boson of a new $\rm U(1)$ interaction in the process e$^+$e$^-\rightarrow\gamma$+$\rm A'$, using the intense positron beam hitting a light target. The $\rm A'$, usually referred as dark photon, is assumed to decay into invisible particles of a secluded sector and it can be observed by searching for an anomalous peak in the spectrum of the missing mass measured in events with a single photon in the final state. The measurement requires the determination of the 4-momentum of the recoil photon, performed by a homogeneous, highly segmented BGO crystals calorimeter. A significant improvement of the missing mass resolution is possible using an active target capable to determine the average position of the positron bunch with a resolution of less than 1 mm. This report presents the performance of a real size $\rm (2x2 cm^2)$ PADME active target made of a thin (50 $\mu$m) diamond sensor, with graphitic strips produced via laser irradiation on both sides. The measurements are based on data collected in a beam test at the BTF in November 2015.