München 2009 – scientific programme

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T: Fachverband Teilchenphysik

T 51: Suche nach neuer Physik 2

T 51.9: Talk

Friday, March 13, 2009, 16:05–16:20, N120

New Constraints on Hidden Photons using Very High Energy Gamma-Rays from the Crab Nebula — •Hannes-Sebastian Zechlin¹, Dieter Horns¹, and Javier Redondo² — ¹Universität Hamburg, Institut für Experimentalphysik, Hamburg — ²Deutsches Elektronen Synchrotron (DESY), Hamburg

Extensions of the current standard model of particle physics, in particular those based on string theory, typically predict a new U(1) gauge symmetry in a hidden sector. The corresponding gauge boson, often called hidden photon, naturally interacts with the ordinary photon via gauge kinetic mixing, leading to photon - hidden photon oscillations. In this framework, one expects photon disappearance as a function of the mass of the hidden photon and the mixing angle, loosely constrained from theory. Several experiments have been carried out or are planned to provide constraints on the mass-mixing plane.

In this contribution we derive new constraints on the hidden photon parameters, using very high energy γ-rays detected from the Crab Nebula, whose broad-band spectral characteristics are well understood. The very high energy γ-ray observations offer the possibility to provide bounds in a broad mass range at a previously unexplored energy and distance scale. Using existing data that were taken with the HEGRA, H.E.S.S., MAGIC, and Whipple Cherenkov telescopes, we discuss our results in the context of current constraints and consider the possibilities of using astrophysical data to search for hidden photon signatures.