Prospects for detecting axion-like particles via the decay $Z\rightarrow af\bar{f}$ at future $Z$ factories

TL;DR

This paper explores the potential for future Z factories to detect axion-like particles through specific decay channels, providing sensitivity bounds on their couplings and demonstrating promising detection prospects.

Contribution

It introduces new detection channels for ALPs at Z factories and estimates the sensitivity bounds on relevant couplings, advancing experimental search strategies.

Findings

Detection channels are promising for ALPs at Z factories.

Sensitivity bounds on couplings g_{aZZ} and g_{aγZ} are established.

Multiple decay modes enhance detection prospects.

Abstract

We investigate the prospects for detecting axion-like particles (ALPs, dubbed as "a") via the decay $Z\rightarrow a f\bar{f}$ at future $Z$ factories. Considering the decay channels $a\rightarrow \mu^+ \mu^-$ and $a\rightarrow b \bar{b}$ , four types of signals $\mu^+ \mu^- /E$, $b b /E$, $e^+ e^- \mu^+ \mu^-$ and $e^+ e^- b b$ are explored. We demonstrate that these channels are promising for detecting ALPs at $Z$ factories and obtain the sensitivity bounds on the couplings $g_{aZZ}$ and $g_{a\gamma Z}$.