First search for invisible decays of ortho-positronium confined in a vacuum cavity

Abstract

The experimental setup and results of the first search for invisible decays of ortho-positronium (o-Ps) confined in a vacuum cavity are reported. No evidence of invisible decays at a level $\text{Br}\left(\text{o-Ps}\to \text{invisible}\right)<5.9\times 10^{-4}$ (90% C. L.) was found. This decay channel is predicted in Hidden Sector models such as the Mirror Matter (MM), which could be a candidate for Dark Matter. Analyzed within the MM context, this result provides an upper limit on the kinetic mixing strength between ordinary and mirror photons of $\hat{I}\mu <3.1\times 10^{-7}$ (90% C. L.). This limit was obtained for the first time in vacuum free of systematic effects due to collisions with matter.

11 pages, 6 figures, 6 tables