Dark sector searches with high-intensity positron beams in the CERN North Area

TL;DR

This paper explores the potential of the NA62 detector at CERN to search for dark sector particles using high-intensity positron beams, and also aims to perform precision measurements of standard model processes.

Contribution

It proposes utilizing the existing NA62 detector with high-intensity positron beams to search for dark sector particles and perform precision standard model measurements.

Findings

Potential to detect dark sector particles in visible and invisible channels.

Capability to measure key standard model cross sections with high precision.

Discovery potential for the True Muonium bound state.

Abstract

Dark sector models present a rich phenomenology that requires high-intensity beams and precision detectors for thorough exploration. The NA62 experiment has already published several constraints on dark sector models, leveraging proton beam dump and meson decay techniques. This proposal aims to demonstrate the NA62 detector discovery potential for dark sector candidates by using the positron-on-target technique. High-intensity secondary positron beams, reaching up to ~150 GeV energy, have already been produced at the North Area extracted beam lines. If a positron beam with an intensity in the range of 2$\times10^14$ positrons on target per year is delivered, the NA62 detector would be ideal for searches of dark sector particles in both visible and invisible decay channels. Additionally, positron on target collisions would enable precision measurements of key standard model observables, including a detailed scan of $\sigma(e^+e^- \to \pi^+\pi^-)$ and $\sigma(e^+e^- \to \mu^+\mu^-$) at the di-pion and di-muon production threshold, with discovery potential for the True Muonium ($\mu^+\mu^-$) bound state.