Do We Observe Dark Photons in PHELEX with a Multi-Cathode Counter?

TL;DR

This study reports a 5-sigma excess of single-electron events in PHELEX measurements, suggesting potential detection of dark photons originating from the galaxy, using a multi-cathode counter over 208 days.

Contribution

First experimental search for dark photons using a multi-cathode counter with evidence indicating galactic origin of observed excess.

Findings

Detected a systematic excess of single-electron events with >5 sigma confidence.

Observed the effect in different sidereal time intervals, supporting galactic origin.

Results strengthen the case for dark photon detection in laboratory experiments.

Abstract

In this paper, we report the results obtained in the PHoton ELectron EXperiment (PHELEX) during 208 days of measurements in the search for dark photons using a multi-cathode counter with an iron cathode. We observed a systematic excess of single-electron events in four runs, with a confidence level better than 5 sigma, in the time interval from 8-00 to 12-00 in sidereal time. The fact that we observe this effect in the stellar frame while detecting the excess of count rate in the solar frame in different time intervals is evidence that this effect is of galactic origin. This strengthens our argument that we are indeed observing the effect of dark photons