Searching for the light dark gauge boson in GeV-scale experiments

We study current constraints and search prospects for a GeV scale vector boson at a range of low energy experiments. It couples to the Standard Model charged particles with a strength <= 10^-3 to 10^-4 of that of the photon. The possibility of such a particle mediating dark matter self-interactions has received much attention recently. We consider searches at low energy high luminosity colliders, meson decays, and fixed target experiments. Based on available data, searches both at colliders and in meson decays can discover or exclude such a scenario if the coupling strength is on the larger side. We emphasize that a dedicated fixed target experiment has a much better potential in searching for such a gauge boson, and outline the desired properties of such an experiment. Two different optimal designs should be implemented to cover the range of coupling strength 10^-3 to 10^-5, and < 10^-5 of the photon, respectively. We also briefly comment on other possible ways of searching for such a gauge boson.Comment: 33 pages, 5 figures; v2: corrected discussion of Upsilon decays, updates to discussion of fixed-target experiments and QED constraints, numerous minor changes, references added; v3: typo corrected relative to the JHEP published versio