arXiv subjects

Juergen Reichenbacher

Publications and source records attributed to Juergen Reichenbacher.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

The DAMSA Experiment

DAMSA (DArk Messenger Searches at an Accelerator) is a novel short-baseline accelerator/beam dump experiment aimed at probing short-lived physics processes, including searches for evidence of a dark sector of particle physics and well-motivated rare Standard Model signals. Motivated by open questions in neutrino physics and the absence of conclusive evidence for conventional weakly interacting massive particles, DAMSA targets MeV-to-sub-GeV dark-sector messengers with feeble couplings that can be produced in abundance at a beam dump/target. By employing an ultra-short baseline, DAMSA is uniquely positioned to overcome the beam-dump "ceiling" that limits sensitivity to fast decaying particles in longer-baseline experiments. The conceptual design emphasizes a beam-dump production scheme combined with a compact detector optimized for rare decays while mitigating intense neutron-induced backgrounds, inherent to high-power proton beams. To validate the experimental strategy and detector technologies, the DAMSA Path-Finder (DPF) proof-of-concept experiment is also proposed, focusing on axion-like particles decaying to two photons, as the benchmark physics case and operating with 8 GeV electron beams at SLAC Linac-to-ESA (LESA) facility. Successful realization of DPF will establish the feasibility of the DAMSA approach, enabling a broad and powerful program to explore short-lived new physics and precision Standard Model processes in a previously inaccessible regime. This paper outlines the technical details of DAMSA's physics goals, key experimental challenges, and how to overcome them.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2026

DAMSA Experiment Conceptual Design White Paper

DAMSA (DArk Messenger Searches at an Accelerator) is a novel short-baseline accelerator experiment aimed at probing short-lived physics processes, including searches for evidence of a dark sector of particle physics and well-motivated Standard Model signals. Motivated by open questions in neutrino physics and the absence of conclusive evidence for conventional weakly interacting massive particles, DAMSA targets MeV-to-sub-GeV dark-sector messengers with feeble couplings that can be produced in abundance at the PIP-II LINAC. By employing an ultra-short baseline of order one meter, DAMSA is uniquely positioned to overcome the beam-dump "ceiling" that limits sensitivity to promptly decaying particles in longer-baseline experiments. The conceptual design emphasizes a beam-dump production scheme combined with a compact detector optimized for rare decays while mitigating intense neutron-induced backgrounds inherent to high-power proton beams. To validate the experimental strategy and detector technologies, the Little DAMSA Path-Finder (LDPF) proof-of-concept experiment is proposed, focusing on axion-like particles decaying to two photons and operating with 300 MeV electron beams at FAST. Successful realization of LDPF will establish the feasibility of the DAMSA approach, enabling a broad and powerful program to explore short-lived new physics and precision Standard Model processes in a previously inaccessible regime. This conceptual design document outlines the technical details of DAMSA's physics goals, the beam facility proposals, key experimental challenges and how to overcome them, and the proposed experimental staging campaigns.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2022

Snowmass2021 Cosmic Frontier White Paper: Calibrations and backgrounds for dark matter direct detection

Future dark matter direct detection experiments will reach unprecedented levels of sensitivity. Achieving this sensitivity will require more precise models of signal and background rates in future detectors. Improving the precision of signal and background modeling goes hand-in-hand with novel calibration techniques that can probe rare processes and lower threshold detector response. The goal of this white paper is to outline community needs to meet the background and calibration requirements of next-generation dark matter direct detection experiments.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2007

Differences in $dE/dX$ for $μ+$ and $μ-$ and its Effect on the Underground Charge Ratio

Theoretical calculations predict a small fractional difference in energy loss for $μ^+$ and $μ^-$ of the order of $0.15 %$ at high energies. This is predominantly due to a $z^3$ term in an extended ionization $dE/dX$ relation, in analogy to the Barkas effect at low energies around the Bethe-Bloch maximum. The atmospheric muon energy spectrum is steeply falling off with approximately $E^{-3.7}$ and thus the small difference in $dE/dX$ between $μ^+$ and $μ^-$ at high energies results in an amplified charge asymmetry of about $0.6 %$ many thousand meters water equivalent deep underground.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2007

Calculation of the Underground Muon Intensity Crouch Curve from a Parameterization of the Flux at Surface

Utilizing only the vertical muon intensity of the Gaisser parameterization of the muon flux at the surface and propagating this energy spectrum underground according to statistical ionization and radiative energy losses, it is possible to calculate the underground muon intensity Crouch curve. In addition, the primary spectral index of the Gaisser parameterization can be adjusted from $E^{-2.7}$ to $E^{-2.643}$ simply by minimizing the deviation from the Crouch curve. For chemical compositions other than standard rock, the propagation of the spectrum underground can be repeated with a different muon energy loss in the material. The resulting underground muon intensity curve represents a consistent conversion of the Crouch curve to the local rock, fully accounting for the energy dependence of the muon $dE/dx$.

hep-ph↗