Layout optimization for the LUXE-NPOD experiment

TL;DR

This paper conducts a detailed, realistic layout optimization study for the LUXE-NPOD experiment, enhancing its sensitivity to new light particles by refining the experimental setup and confirming background-free operation.

Contribution

It provides a systematic analysis of the LUXE-NPOD experimental layout, improving the accuracy of the physics reach estimates over previous simplified models.

Findings

Optimized the experimental layout for enhanced sensitivity.

Confirmed background-free operation in updated scenarios.

Extended the reach for new spin-0 particles in specified mass and coupling ranges.

Abstract

Beam dump experiments represent an effective way to probe new physics in a parameter space, where new particles have feeble couplings to the Standard Model sector and masses below the GeV scale. The LUXE experiment, designed primarily to study strong-field quantum electrodynamics, can be used also as a photon beam dump experiment with a unique reach for new spin-0 particles in the $10-350~\mathrm{MeV}$ mass and $10^{-6}-10^{-3}~\mathrm{GeV}^{-1}$ couplings to photons ranges. This is achieved via the ``New Physics search with Optical Dump'' (NPOD) concept. While prior estimations were obtained with a simplified model of the experimental setup, in this work we present a systematic study of the new physics reach in the full, realistic experimental apparatus, including an existing detector to be used in the LUXE NPOD context. We furthermore investigate updated scenarios of LUXE's experimental plan and confirm that our results are in agreement with the original estimations of a background-free operation.