Search for dark photon, axion-like particles, dark scalar, or light dark matter in Compton-like processes

Abstract: We propose a novel way to search for the dark photon ($A'$), the axion-like pseudo-scalar ($a$), the dark scalar ($\phi$), and the light dark matter ($\chi$) in the Compton-like processes, $\gamma + e^- \rightarrow A'/a/\phi + e^-$ with $A'/a/\phi$ decaying into leptons, photons, or $\chi$'s (when permitted) for the mass ranges of $m_{A'/a/\phi} \leq$ 100 MeV/$c^2$ and $m_{\chi} \leq $ 50 MeV/$c^2$. We examine how the past, current, and future fixed target experiments can use this under-explored production mechanism of dark particles. We show that the existing and planned tagged photon beam fixed-target experiments (GlueX, LEPS2, LEPS, and FOREST) are competitive with the electron beam fixed target experiments, particularly for searching an invisible particle. We also show that the photon flux produced in the beam dump experiments increases the dark particle flux significantly and therefore the sensitivities of these experiments. By only considering the Compton-like processes, we determine the new limits and expected sensitivities for several beam dump and active beam dump experiments (E774, E141, KEK, Orsay, E137, NA64, BDX and LDMX) on the kinetic mixing parameter ($\epsilon$) between the dark photon and the Standard Model photon, the axion-like pseudo-scalar coupling to electrons ($g_{ae}$), the dark scalar coupling to electrons ($y_e$) and the dimensionless interaction strength ($y$) to light dark matter.