Search for a dark photon in the π0 → e+e-γ decay

The presently world largest data sample for pi(0) -> gamma e(+)e(-) decays studies containing nearly 5 x 10(5) events was collected using the WASA detector at COSY. A search for a dark photon U produced in the pi(0) -> gamma U -> gamma e(+)e(-) decay from the pp -> pp pi(0) reaction was carried out. An upper limit on the square of the U -> gamma mixing strength parameter epsilon(2) of 5 x 10(-6) at 90% CL was obtained for the mass range 20 MeV < M-U < 100 MeV. This result together with other recent experimental limits significantly reduces the M-U vs. epsilon(2) parameter space which could explain the presently seen deviation between the Standard Model prediction and the direct measurement of the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.