A.Kopylov, I.Orekhov, V.Petukhov

A method to register hidden photons with the aid of a multi-cathode counter

Technical Physics Letters, 2016, Volume 42, Issue 8, pp 879–882

We propose to detect hidden photons (HPs) by using single electrons emitted from the surface of a metal cathode under the action of HPs of cold dark matter. A multiwire gas-discharge proportional counter of special design with four cathodes has been developed. Calibration measurements were performed for determining the efficiency of counting single electrons. Single-electron pulse counting rate in various detector configurations was measured. The upper limits of mixing parameter χ, which characterizes the kinetic mixing of HPs and ordinary photons, are estimated.

A.Kopylov, I.Orekhov, V.Petukhov

On a Search for Hidden Photon CDM by a Multicathode Counter

Advances in High Energy Physics, Volume 2016, Article ID 2058372

We report a new technique of a multicathode counter (MCC) developed to search for hidden photon (HP) cold dark matter (CDM) with a mass from 5 to 500 eV. The method is suggested in the assumption that HP-photon mixing causes emission of single electrons from a metal cathode if the mass of hidden photon is greater than a work function of the metal. The measured effect from HP should be dependent on a work function and on the structure of electronic shells of the metal used as a cathode. Potentially this can be used for a verification of the results obtained. Some preliminary results for the upper limit for mixing parameter have been obtained for HP with a mass from 5 eV to 10 keV as a pure illustration of the potential of this technique. The efforts are continued to refine the procedure of data treatment and to improve the work of MCC. A new detector with a more developed design is under construction.

A.Kopylov, I.Orekhov, V.Petukhov

A multi-cathode counter in a single-electron counting mode

NIM A, Volume 910, 2018, Pages 164-167

We describe the operation of the multi-cathode counter developed by us. It has an aluminum alloy cathode and operates in single-electron counting mode. The calibration results are given. The gas gain was found from the calibration spectra. The electric fields and the operation of this detector in two configurations are described. Our original idea was to measure the effect of electrons emitted from the cathode surface according to the difference in count rates in two configurations. We found the optimal potential difference between the first and second cathodes in the two configurations using the calibration measurements of the count rates. In addition, the advantage of using a multi-cathode counter for measuring the intensity of single-electron emission from a metal is explained.

A.Kopylov, I.Orekhov, V.Petukhov

Results from a hidden photon dark matter search using a multi-cathode counter

Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics, Volume 2019, July 2019

Here we present measurements of the rates of emission of single electrons from the cathode of a proportional counter filled with a mixture of Ar + CH4 (10%) at 1 bar. We interpret the results as a possible photoelectric effect associated with hidden photons (HPs). Our results set upper limits for HPs from cold dark matter (CDM). We also discuss future options for searches for HPs from CDM using a multi-cathode counter technique.

A.Kopylov, I.Orekhov, V.Petukhov

Search for Hidden-Photon Dark Matter Using a Multi-Cathode Counter

Journal of Physics: Conference Series, v.1390, N1, 2019, 012066

A search for hidden-photon (HP) dark matter using a multi-cathode counter is reported. The technique based on counting of single electrons emitted from outer cathode of the proportional counter by hidden-photons was used. The apparatus and the calibration of the counter by ultraviolet lamp are described. It is shown that this technique attains a maximum sensitivity in the energy range of Vacuum Ultraviolet. From the results of measurements we set an upper limit on the photon-HP mixing parameter η. A further progress of using a multicathode technique is discussed.

A.Kopylov, I.Orekhov, V.Petukhov

Method of Search for Hidden Photons of Cold Dark Matter Using a Multi-Cathode Counter

Phys. Atom. Nuclei 82, 1317–1324 (2019)

A search for hidden-photon (HP) dark matter using a multi-cathode counter is reported. The technique based on counting of single electrons emitted from outer cathode of the proportional counter by hidden-photons was used. The apparatus and the calibration of the counter by ultraviolet lamp are described. It is shown that this technique attains a maximum sensitivity in the energy range of Vacuum Ultraviolet. From the results of measurements we set an upper limit on the photon-HP mixing parameter η. A further progress of using a multicathode technique is discussed.