Proof of principle for a light dark matter search with low-energy positron beams at NA64

A bstract Thermal light dark matter (LDM) with particle masses in the 1 MeV–1 GeV range could successfully explain the observed dark matter abundance as a relic from the primordial Universe. In this picture, a new feeble interaction acts as a “portal” between the Standard Model and LDM particles, allowing for the exploration of this paradigm at accelerator experiments. In the last years, the “missing energy” experiment NA64 e at CERN SPS (Super Proton Synchrotron) has set world-leading constraints in the vector-mediated LDM parameter space, by exploiting a 100 GeV electron beam impinging on an electromagnetic calorimeter, acting as an active target. In this paper, we report a detailed description of the analysis of a preliminary measurement with a 70 GeV/c positron beam at NA64 e , performed during summer 2023 with an accumulated statistics of 1 . 596 × 10 10 positrons on target (hereafter referred to as e + OT). This data set was analyzed with the primary aim of evaluating the performance of the NA64 e detector with a lower energy positron beam, towards the realization of the post-LS3 program. The analysis results, other than additionally probing unexplored regions in the LDM parameter space, provide valuable information towards the future NA64 e positron campaign.