PHELEX: Three Series Of Measurements in the Search for Dark Photons

TL;DR

This study conducted three experimental series to detect dark photons via diurnal variations in electron counts, observing initial signals that were later not confirmed, suggesting possible effects from dark matter regions with varying polarization.

Contribution

The paper reports the first three series of measurements searching for dark photons through electron count variations, highlighting the importance of multiple detectors to rule out instrumental effects.

Findings

Initial signals observed in the first two series with high significance.

No effect detected in the third series with dual detectors.

Results suggest possible dark matter region effects rather than instrumental artifacts.

Abstract

This paper presents the results of measurements of diurnal variations in the single electron count rate arising from dark photon conversion at the cathode of a gas proportional counter. Three experimental series were conducted, each consisting of 4 runs lasting approximately 60 days per run. One can expect an excess in the single electron count rate above the average level if the polarization vector of dark photons in the region traversed by the Sun forms an angle between 20 and 50 degrees with the Earth's rotational axis. Such an effect was observed in the first series (significance 6 sigma) and the second series (significance 4 sigma). However, in the third series, which employed two identical detectors simultaneously, the effect was not observed on either detector. This result practically excludes the possibility that the effect observed earlier was purely instrumental. The results of the three series may be interpreted as a possible effect arising from the Sun's passage through regions of dark matter characterized by different orientations of the dark photon polarization vector.