Constraints on the dark photon from deep inelastic scattering

TL;DR

This paper derives constraints on dark photon properties by analyzing deep inelastic scattering data, performing PDF extractions with and without a dark photon, and considering vector meson dominance effects.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method to constrain dark photon parameters using DIS data and detailed PDF analysis, including vector meson dominance effects.

Findings

Excludes dark photon kinetic mixing parameters up to a certain limit for masses up to 80 GeV.

Provides updated bounds on dark photon properties from DIS data.

Demonstrates the importance of vector meson dominance in such analyses.

Abstract

We investigate constraints on the dark photon arising from an analysis of deep inelastic scattering (DIS) data. We perform extractions of parton distribution functions (PDFs) with and without a dark photon being present and allow the dark photon mixing parameter and mass to vary. We also include the effects of vector meson dominance to ensure the correct photo-production limit. By considering the variation of the total $\chi^2$ arising from such extractions we infer exclusion limits on the kinetic mixing parameter of the dark photon for dark photon mass up to $80\ {\rm GeV}$.