Constraints on the dark photon from parity violation and the W mass

We present an analysis of the experimental data for parity violating electron scattering and atomic parity violation, including the effects of a dark photon. We derive the favored region of dark photon parameter space, which provides a good description of the experimental data from the Qweak Collaboration and the Jefferson Lab PVDIS Collaboration and simultaneously relieves the tension between the neutron skin thickness determined in the PREX-II experiment and nuclear-model predictions. In addition, we extract the parameter region required to explain the latest W-boson mass anomaly. Our results indicate that a heavy dark photon with mass above the Z-boson mass is favored, while other sources of new physics beyond the Standard Model in addition to the dark photon would also be expected.

Automated summary

This study presents an analysis of experimental data on parity violating electron scattering and atomic parity violation, taking into account the effects of a dark photon. The results indicate that the presence of a heavy dark photon can explain the experimental data and alleviate the tension between predictions and observations.