Junle Pei
Current Organizations / Institutes
The organizations/institutes from the scholar's latest article
Previous Organizations / Institutes
The organizations / institutes from the scholar's other articles in the past ten years
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Research Interests
Junle Pei has a total of 237 co-authors. Here are the top co-authors by number of shared publications:
- Jinmian Li
College of physics, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
22 shared publications - Wenxing Zhang
Hebei University
11 shared publications - Tianjun Li
School of Physics Henan Normal University 453007 Xinxiang P. R. China
9 shared publications - Tianjun Li
Henan Normal University
9 shared publications - Lina Wu
School of Sciences, Xi’an Technological University, Xi’an 710021, People’s Republic of China
8 shared publications - Cong Zhang
Bethe Center for Theoretical Physics and Physikalisches Institut Universität Bonn Nussallee 12 D-53115 Bonn Germany
7 shared publications
Latest Publications
- Open Access
- 5 November 2026
- Published by Springer Nature in Journal of High Energy Physics
- Vol. 2026 (11)
Observation of quantum entanglement in $ \Lambda \overline{\Lambda} $ pair production via electron-positron annihilationA bstract: Quantum entanglement, a profound feature of quantum mechanics where particles share interconnected states regardless of distance, has been extensively studied in low-energy systems like photons and atoms. Exploring entanglement in high-energy particle collisions offers unique opportunities to probe quantum phenomena under extreme conditions. Here we demonstrate the observation of quantum entanglement between lambda and anti-lambda hyperons $$ \left(\Lambda \overline{\Lambda}\right) $$ produced in electron-positron collisions via the decay of the J / ψ particle. By analyzing the angular correlations of the protons and antiprotons emerging from the subsequent weak decays of the hyperons, we identify clear signatures of entanglement that violate the limits derived for product states. This result confirms that entanglement persists through both the strong interaction production process and the weak decay processes. We further establish a general polar-azimuthal selection rule showing that azimuthal correlations are indispensable for entanglement certification in spin-1/2 fermion-antifermion systems. It is also confirmed that a significant majority of these decay events occur at spacelike separation, meaning that no classical signal could connect them. The successful detection of entanglement in this hyperon-antihyperon system establishes a new methodology and platform for measuring quantum properties in relativistic particle physics, complementing traditional approaches and opening avenues for future investigations into decoherence or symmetry violations in high-energy collisions.- 5 November 2026
- Published by Springer Nature in Journal of High Energy Physics
- Vol. 2026 (11)
Open AccessObservation of quantum entanglement in $ \Lambda \overline{\Lambda} $ pair production via electron-positron annihilationA bstract: Quantum entanglement, a profound feature of quantum mechanics where particles share interconnected states regardless of distance, has been extensively studied in low-energy systems like photons and atoms. Exploring entanglement in high-energy particle collisions offers unique opportunities to probe quantum phenomena under extreme conditions. Here we demonstrate the observation of quantum entanglement between lambda and anti-lambda hyperons $$ \left(\Lambda \overline{\Lambda}\right) $$ produced in electron-positron collisions via the decay of the J / ψ particle. By analyzing the angular correlations of the protons and antiprotons emerging from the subsequent weak decays of the hyperons, we identify clear signatures of entanglement that violate the limits derived for product states. This result confirms that entanglement persists through both the strong interaction production process and the weak decay processes. We further establish a general polar-azimuthal selection rule showing that azimuthal correlations are indispensable for entanglement certification in spin-1/2 fermion-antifermion systems. It is also confirmed that a significant majority of these decay events occur at spacelike separation, meaning that no classical signal could connect them. The successful detection of entanglement in this hyperon-antihyperon system establishes a new methodology and platform for measuring quantum properties in relativistic particle physics, complementing traditional approaches and opening avenues for future investigations into decoherence or symmetry violations in high-energy collisions. - Open Access
- 30 October 2026
- Published by American Physical Society (APS) in Physical Review Letters
- Vol. 137 (18) , 181802
First Search for Quirks at the LHC with FASER
We present the first LHC search for quirks, particles with standard model and QCD-like infracolor (IC) interactions. The analysis uses data collected in 2022–2024 by FASER, with a 186 fb − 1 integrated luminosity of proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy s = 13.6 TeV . Scintillator charge and timing information are used to search for slow pairs of quirks with no QCD color and electric charge ± 1 . No events are seen in this nearly background-free search, resulting in the first exclusion of quirks with masses above the weak scale for IC confinement scales in the broad range of 300 eV < Λ < 100 keV .
- 30 October 2026
- Published by American Physical Society (APS) in Physical Review Letters
- Vol. 137 (18) , 181802
Open AccessFirst Search for Quirks at the LHC with FASER
We present the first LHC search for quirks, particles with standard model and QCD-like infracolor (IC) interactions. The analysis uses data collected in 2022–2024 by FASER, with a 186 fb − 1 integrated luminosity of proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy s = 13.6 TeV . Scintillator charge and timing information are used to search for slow pairs of quirks with no QCD color and electric charge ± 1 . No events are seen in this nearly background-free search, resulting in the first exclusion of quirks with masses above the weak scale for IC confinement scales in the broad range of 300 eV < Λ < 100 keV .
- Open Access
- 20 October 2026
- Published by American Physical Society (APS) in Physical Review D
- Vol. 114 (7)
Can mirror symmetry challenge local realism? Probing photon entanglement from positronium via Compton scattering
This study investigates photon entanglement generated from parapositronium decay by analyzing azimuthal correlations after the double Compton scattering with stationary electrons. We introduce a normalized correlation observable O 1 = cos ( 2 ϕ 1 − 2 ϕ 2 ) / C 1 to witness entanglement. In the absence of decoherence, ⟨ O 1 ⟩ = − 1 , corresponding to a maximally entangled Bell state. With decoherence parametrized by ρ , the expectation becomes − ( 1 − ρ ) , allowing direct experimental quantification of coherence loss. A prior symmetry analysis of the Compton scattering process within the quantum field theory (QFT) is provided, which establishes the mirror-symmetric nature of the single-photon angular distribution. We further examine a local hidden-variable theory (LHVT) under the angular-momentum conservation and the rotation invariance. Imposing the mirror symmetry with respect to the plane defined by the photon spin and momentum leads to a non-negative LHVT prediction for ⟨ sin 2 θ 1 sin 2 θ 2 cos ( 2 ϕ 1 − 2 ϕ 2 ) ⟩ , contradicting the negative QFT prediction value for any ρ < 1 . Thus, mirror symmetry serves as a novel criterion to exclude LHVT descriptions of the entangled state, whereas without preserving this symmetry, LHVTs can reproduce the correlations.
- 20 October 2026
- Published by American Physical Society (APS) in Physical Review D
- Vol. 114 (7)
Open AccessCan mirror symmetry challenge local realism? Probing photon entanglement from positronium via Compton scattering
This study investigates photon entanglement generated from parapositronium decay by analyzing azimuthal correlations after the double Compton scattering with stationary electrons. We introduce a normalized correlation observable O 1 = cos ( 2 ϕ 1 − 2 ϕ 2 ) / C 1 to witness entanglement. In the absence of decoherence, ⟨ O 1 ⟩ = − 1 , corresponding to a maximally entangled Bell state. With decoherence parametrized by ρ , the expectation becomes − ( 1 − ρ ) , allowing direct experimental quantification of coherence loss. A prior symmetry analysis of the Compton scattering process within the quantum field theory (QFT) is provided, which establishes the mirror-symmetric nature of the single-photon angular distribution. We further examine a local hidden-variable theory (LHVT) under the angular-momentum conservation and the rotation invariance. Imposing the mirror symmetry with respect to the plane defined by the photon spin and momentum leads to a non-negative LHVT prediction for ⟨ sin 2 θ 1 sin 2 θ 2 cos ( 2 ϕ 1 − 2 ϕ 2 ) ⟩ , contradicting the negative QFT prediction value for any ρ < 1 . Thus, mirror symmetry serves as a novel criterion to exclude LHVT descriptions of the entangled state, whereas without preserving this symmetry, LHVTs can reproduce the correlations.
- Open Access
- 10 August 2026
- Published by American Physical Society (APS) in Physical Review D
- Vol. 114 (3) , 035015
Multimessenger astroparticle physics: The first constraint on light millicharged dark matter via time-delay analysis of GRB GW170817A
Multimessenger astroparticle physics provides a new approach to probe new physics beyond the Standard Model. We propose to probe the light dark matter which can interact via the electromagnetic force. To be concrete, we derive the new constraint on the millicharged dark matter from the multimessenger observations of GW170817. In the neutron star merger event GW170817, the first detection of a γ -ray burst delayed by approximately 1.7 seconds relative to the gravitational wave emission was observed. Utilizing this delay, we constrain the parameter space of the millicharged dark matter within the large-scale structure of the Universe. For dark matter mass below 10 − 17 eV , the parameter ε is constrained to be less than 10 − 14 , representing the most stringent limits achieved to date.
- 10 August 2026
- Published by American Physical Society (APS) in Physical Review D
- Vol. 114 (3) , 035015
Open AccessMultimessenger astroparticle physics: The first constraint on light millicharged dark matter via time-delay analysis of GRB GW170817A
Multimessenger astroparticle physics provides a new approach to probe new physics beyond the Standard Model. We propose to probe the light dark matter which can interact via the electromagnetic force. To be concrete, we derive the new constraint on the millicharged dark matter from the multimessenger observations of GW170817. In the neutron star merger event GW170817, the first detection of a γ -ray burst delayed by approximately 1.7 seconds relative to the gravitational wave emission was observed. Utilizing this delay, we constrain the parameter space of the millicharged dark matter within the large-scale structure of the Universe. For dark matter mass below 10 − 17 eV , the parameter ε is constrained to be less than 10 − 14 , representing the most stringent limits achieved to date.
- Open Access
- 16 July 2026
- Published by Springer Nature in Journal of High Energy Physics
- Vol. 2026 (7) , 154
Excluding local hidden variables in $ \Lambda \overline{\Lambda} $ production: the incompatibility with angular-momentum conservation and CPT invarianceA bstract: We analyze spin entanglement in $$ \Lambda \overline{\Lambda} $$ pairs produced in the decays of spin-zero particles, contrasting predictions from quantum field theory (QFT) with those of local hidden-variable theories (LHVTs). Using the self-analyzing weak decays Λ → pπ − and $$ \overline{\Lambda}\to \overline{p}{\pi}^{+} $$ , we derive the joint angular distributions within QFT. Our key findings are: for scalar production $$ h\to \Lambda \overline{\Lambda} $$ , no LHVT respecting locality and angular-momentum conservation can reproduce the QFT distribution. For pseudoscalar production $$ a\to \Lambda \overline{\Lambda} $$ , a CPT-symmetric LHVT is excluded by positivity constraints given the measured analyzing powers; however, if CPT symmetry is relaxed, an explicit LHVT construction — with uniform hidden-variable measure and response functions satisfying $$ {b}_1{c}_1=3{\alpha}_{\Lambda}{\alpha}_{\overline{\Lambda}} $$ — can match the QFT result. For the most general spin-zero decay $$ s\to \Lambda \overline{\Lambda} $$ with arbitrary scalar-pseudoscalar mixing, we, under CPT invariance, identify the regions of parameter space where the QFT joint angular distribution does or does not admit an LHVT realization. These distinct signatures provide clear, experimentally testable criteria to discriminate between QFT and LHVT in $$ \Lambda \overline{\Lambda} $$ systems across different production mechanisms.- 16 July 2026
- Published by Springer Nature in Journal of High Energy Physics
- Vol. 2026 (7) , 154
Open AccessExcluding local hidden variables in $ \Lambda \overline{\Lambda} $ production: the incompatibility with angular-momentum conservation and CPT invarianceA bstract: We analyze spin entanglement in $$ \Lambda \overline{\Lambda} $$ pairs produced in the decays of spin-zero particles, contrasting predictions from quantum field theory (QFT) with those of local hidden-variable theories (LHVTs). Using the self-analyzing weak decays Λ → pπ − and $$ \overline{\Lambda}\to \overline{p}{\pi}^{+} $$ , we derive the joint angular distributions within QFT. Our key findings are: for scalar production $$ h\to \Lambda \overline{\Lambda} $$ , no LHVT respecting locality and angular-momentum conservation can reproduce the QFT distribution. For pseudoscalar production $$ a\to \Lambda \overline{\Lambda} $$ , a CPT-symmetric LHVT is excluded by positivity constraints given the measured analyzing powers; however, if CPT symmetry is relaxed, an explicit LHVT construction — with uniform hidden-variable measure and response functions satisfying $$ {b}_1{c}_1=3{\alpha}_{\Lambda}{\alpha}_{\overline{\Lambda}} $$ — can match the QFT result. For the most general spin-zero decay $$ s\to \Lambda \overline{\Lambda} $$ with arbitrary scalar-pseudoscalar mixing, we, under CPT invariance, identify the regions of parameter space where the QFT joint angular distribution does or does not admit an LHVT realization. These distinct signatures provide clear, experimentally testable criteria to discriminate between QFT and LHVT in $$ \Lambda \overline{\Lambda} $$ systems across different production mechanisms. - Open Access
- 2 July 2026
- Published by Springer Nature in Journal of High Energy Physics
- Vol. 2026 (7)
Bypassing spin-analyzing power dependence for quantum entanglement at colliders: a case study of $ \Lambda \overline{\Lambda} $A bstract: We study, as a concrete case study using the $$ \Lambda \left(\to p{\pi}^{-}\right)\overline{\Lambda}\left(\to \overline{p}{\pi}^{+}\right) $$ system, whether quantum entanglement in fermion pairs produced at colliders can be certified solely using angular information from final-state decays, while remaining independent of the parity-violating decay parameters α Λ and $$ {\alpha}_{\overline{\Lambda}} $$ . Building on a general decomposition of any angular observable in terms of Wigner d-functions, we show that the expectation value must take the form $$ {\mathcal{O}}_0+{\mathcal{O}}_1{\alpha}_{\Lambda}+{\mathcal{O}}_2{\alpha}_{\overline{\Lambda}}+{\mathcal{O}}_3{\alpha}_{\Lambda}{\alpha}_{\overline{\Lambda}} $$ , with coefficients 𝒪 i ( i = 0 , 1 , 2 , 3) linear in the spin-density matrix elements $$ {\alpha}_{k,j}{\alpha}_{m,n}^{\ast } $$ . We obtain the value ranges of observables over the general and separable spaces of α k,j , and demonstrate a sufficient entanglement condition for pure states, extending it to mixed states by convexity. In constructing an α Λ - and $$ {\alpha}_{\overline{\Lambda}} $$ -independent witness from angular observables alone, we find that there are obstacles to probe quantum entanglement via the inequality-type and ratio-type ways. In particular, for the ratio-type criterion 〈 A 〉/〈 B 〉, the presence of zeros of 〈 B 〉 in both the general and separable spaces of $$ {\alpha}_{k,j}\left(k,j=\pm \frac{1}{2}\right) $$ results in identical value ranges of 〈 A 〉/〈 B 〉 in the two spaces (covering the entire real line), thereby precluding any effective criterion. Finally, for this specific system, we present the successful constructions with additional spin information: for the process of $$ {e}^{+}{e}^{-}\to J/\Psi \to \Lambda \overline{\Lambda} $$ at an e + e − collider, independent spin information provided by beam-axis selection enables the construction of normalized observables f i ( i = 1 , 2) that are insensitive to α Λ and $$ {\alpha}_{\overline{\Lambda}} $$ ; if their measured values lie in $$ \left[\left.-1,-\frac{1}{2}\right)\cup \left(\frac{1}{2},1\right.\right] $$ , entanglement is certified, irrespective of purity or mixedness.- 2 July 2026
- Published by Springer Nature in Journal of High Energy Physics
- Vol. 2026 (7)
Open AccessBypassing spin-analyzing power dependence for quantum entanglement at colliders: a case study of $ \Lambda \overline{\Lambda} $A bstract: We study, as a concrete case study using the $$ \Lambda \left(\to p{\pi}^{-}\right)\overline{\Lambda}\left(\to \overline{p}{\pi}^{+}\right) $$ system, whether quantum entanglement in fermion pairs produced at colliders can be certified solely using angular information from final-state decays, while remaining independent of the parity-violating decay parameters α Λ and $$ {\alpha}_{\overline{\Lambda}} $$ . Building on a general decomposition of any angular observable in terms of Wigner d-functions, we show that the expectation value must take the form $$ {\mathcal{O}}_0+{\mathcal{O}}_1{\alpha}_{\Lambda}+{\mathcal{O}}_2{\alpha}_{\overline{\Lambda}}+{\mathcal{O}}_3{\alpha}_{\Lambda}{\alpha}_{\overline{\Lambda}} $$ , with coefficients 𝒪 i ( i = 0 , 1 , 2 , 3) linear in the spin-density matrix elements $$ {\alpha}_{k,j}{\alpha}_{m,n}^{\ast } $$ . We obtain the value ranges of observables over the general and separable spaces of α k,j , and demonstrate a sufficient entanglement condition for pure states, extending it to mixed states by convexity. In constructing an α Λ - and $$ {\alpha}_{\overline{\Lambda}} $$ -independent witness from angular observables alone, we find that there are obstacles to probe quantum entanglement via the inequality-type and ratio-type ways. In particular, for the ratio-type criterion 〈 A 〉/〈 B 〉, the presence of zeros of 〈 B 〉 in both the general and separable spaces of $$ {\alpha}_{k,j}\left(k,j=\pm \frac{1}{2}\right) $$ results in identical value ranges of 〈 A 〉/〈 B 〉 in the two spaces (covering the entire real line), thereby precluding any effective criterion. Finally, for this specific system, we present the successful constructions with additional spin information: for the process of $$ {e}^{+}{e}^{-}\to J/\Psi \to \Lambda \overline{\Lambda} $$ at an e + e − collider, independent spin information provided by beam-axis selection enables the construction of normalized observables f i ( i = 1 , 2) that are insensitive to α Λ and $$ {\alpha}_{\overline{\Lambda}} $$ ; if their measured values lie in $$ \left[\left.-1,-\frac{1}{2}\right)\cup \left(\frac{1}{2},1\right.\right] $$ , entanglement is certified, irrespective of purity or mixedness. - Open Access
- 26 June 2026
- Published by American Physical Society (APS) in Physical Review D
- Vol. 113 (11)
Search for cosmic-ray-produced dark mesons via the U ( 1 ) D portal at JUNO
We investigate the atmospheric production and subsequent detection of sub-GeV dark mesons within the framework of a confining dark sector coupled to the Standard Model (SM) via a U ( 1 ) D vector portal. High-energy cosmic-ray interactions in the atmosphere produce dark quarks through proton bremsstrahlung, rare decays of Standard Model mesons, and Drell-Yan processes, which subsequently hadronize into dark mesons. We adopt a modified quark combination model to describe the nonperturbative dark hadronization process, allowing for a detailed event-level characterization of the dark meson flux. We simulate the flux and the interactions of these relativistic dark mesons in the Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO) using the generator, considering both elastic scattering off nuclei and deep inelastic scattering channels. Adopting a large-energy-singles-inspired conservative signal definition with 15 MeV < E vis < 100 MeV and vetoing events containing final-state neutrons, we derive projected 90% C.L. sensitivities to the coupling strength between the dark gauge boson and the SM sector for a 20 kton · year exposure. For the representative benchmark masses m Z ′ = 0.001 , 0.01, and 0.1 GeV, the projected JUNO reach corresponds to g SM 90 = 6.48 × 10 − 5 , 7.75 × 10 − 5 , and 2.37 × 10 − 4 , respectively. This reach is found to be only mildly sensitive to order-one variations of the hadronization parameter, as illustrated by the choices κ β = 1 / 3 , 1, and 3.
- 26 June 2026
- Published by American Physical Society (APS) in Physical Review D
- Vol. 113 (11)
Open AccessSearch for cosmic-ray-produced dark mesons via the U ( 1 ) D portal at JUNO
We investigate the atmospheric production and subsequent detection of sub-GeV dark mesons within the framework of a confining dark sector coupled to the Standard Model (SM) via a U ( 1 ) D vector portal. High-energy cosmic-ray interactions in the atmosphere produce dark quarks through proton bremsstrahlung, rare decays of Standard Model mesons, and Drell-Yan processes, which subsequently hadronize into dark mesons. We adopt a modified quark combination model to describe the nonperturbative dark hadronization process, allowing for a detailed event-level characterization of the dark meson flux. We simulate the flux and the interactions of these relativistic dark mesons in the Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO) using the generator, considering both elastic scattering off nuclei and deep inelastic scattering channels. Adopting a large-energy-singles-inspired conservative signal definition with 15 MeV < E vis < 100 MeV and vetoing events containing final-state neutrons, we derive projected 90% C.L. sensitivities to the coupling strength between the dark gauge boson and the SM sector for a 20 kton · year exposure. For the representative benchmark masses m Z ′ = 0.001 , 0.01, and 0.1 GeV, the projected JUNO reach corresponds to g SM 90 = 6.48 × 10 − 5 , 7.75 × 10 − 5 , and 2.37 × 10 − 4 , respectively. This reach is found to be only mildly sensitive to order-one variations of the hadronization parameter, as illustrated by the choices κ β = 1 / 3 , 1, and 3.
- Open Access
Comparison of JUNO and DUNE Sensitivities to Cosmic-Ray- Produced Dark Mesons
We study the projected sensitivities of the Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO) and the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) to cosmic-ray-produced dark mesons in a confining dark sector with a leptophobic vector portal. Using the same atmospheric dark meson flux framework as in our previous JUNO study, which includes proton bremsstrahlung, Standard Model meson decays, and Drell–Yan production followed by dark hadronization described by a modified Quark Combination Model, we perform a controlled comparison between JUNO and DUNE within a common source-side setup. Our results indicate that JUNO achieves stronger overall sensitivity across most of the parameter space, primarily because its inclusive event-level visible-energy criterion efficiently retains soft elastic recoils. In contrast, DUNE demonstrates systematically larger visible effective cross sections in the deep-inelastic scattering (DIS) channel, where energetic final states readily exceed its particle-level hadronic thresholds. Moreover, kinematic hardening of elastic recoils at heavier mediator masses ( GeV) and higher incident energies ( GeV) further enhances DUNE’s elastic acceptance. Nevertheless, over most of the benchmark parameter space considered here, JUNO yields a larger total signal rate because the incident dark meson flux peaks sharply at low energies, favoring the soft elastic regime. Consequently, this interplay between flux distribution and detector thresholds causes the sensitivity gap between JUNO and DUNE to narrow significantly in the heavy-mediator regime.Open AccessComparison of JUNO and DUNE Sensitivities to Cosmic-Ray- Produced Dark Mesons
We study the projected sensitivities of the Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO) and the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) to cosmic-ray-produced dark mesons in a confining dark sector with a leptophobic vector portal. Using the same atmospheric dark meson flux framework as in our previous JUNO study, which includes proton bremsstrahlung, Standard Model meson decays, and Drell–Yan production followed by dark hadronization described by a modified Quark Combination Model, we perform a controlled comparison between JUNO and DUNE within a common source-side setup. Our results indicate that JUNO achieves stronger overall sensitivity across most of the parameter space, primarily because its inclusive event-level visible-energy criterion efficiently retains soft elastic recoils. In contrast, DUNE demonstrates systematically larger visible effective cross sections in the deep-inelastic scattering (DIS) channel, where energetic final states readily exceed its particle-level hadronic thresholds. Moreover, kinematic hardening of elastic recoils at heavier mediator masses ( GeV) and higher incident energies ( GeV) further enhances DUNE’s elastic acceptance. Nevertheless, over most of the benchmark parameter space considered here, JUNO yields a larger total signal rate because the incident dark meson flux peaks sharply at low energies, favoring the soft elastic regime. Consequently, this interplay between flux distribution and detector thresholds causes the sensitivity gap between JUNO and DUNE to narrow significantly in the heavy-mediator regime. - Open Access
- 17 March 2026
- Published by Elsevier in Nuclear Physics B
- Vol. 1026
The forward physics facility: Physics opportunities and conceptual design
- 17 March 2026
- Published by Elsevier in Nuclear Physics B
- Vol. 1026
Open AccessThe forward physics facility: Physics opportunities and conceptual design
- Open AccessSearch for Cosmic-Ray Produced Dark Meson via the $U(1)_\text{D}$ Portal at JUNOWe investigate the atmospheric production and subsequent detection of sub-GeV dark mesons within the framework of a confining dark sector coupled to the Standard Model (SM) via a $U(1)_{\text{D}}$ vector portal. High-energy cosmic ray interactions in the atmosphere produce dark quarks through proton bremsstrahlung, rare decay of Standard Model mesons, and Drell-Yan processes, which subsequently hadronize into dark mesons. We adopt a modified Quark Combination Model to describe the non-perturbative dark hadronization process, allowing for a detailed event-level characterization of the dark meson flux. We simulate the flux and the interaction of these relativistic dark mesons in the Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO) using the GENIE generator, considering both elastic scattering off nuclei and deep inelastic scattering channels. Based on the projected 20 kton$\cdot$year exposure, we derive sensitivity limits on the coupling strength between the dark gauge boson and the SM sector. Our results demonstrate that JUNO can probe substantial unexplored parameter space, particularly for light mediators ($m_{Z^\prime} \lesssim 10$ MeV), where it achieves sensitivities to the portal interaction as low as $2.4 \times 10^{-4}$.Open AccessSearch for Cosmic-Ray Produced Dark Meson via the $U(1)_\text{D}$ Portal at JUNOWe investigate the atmospheric production and subsequent detection of sub-GeV dark mesons within the framework of a confining dark sector coupled to the Standard Model (SM) via a $U(1)_{\text{D}}$ vector portal. High-energy cosmic ray interactions in the atmosphere produce dark quarks through proton bremsstrahlung, rare decay of Standard Model mesons, and Drell-Yan processes, which subsequently hadronize into dark mesons. We adopt a modified Quark Combination Model to describe the non-perturbative dark hadronization process, allowing for a detailed event-level characterization of the dark meson flux. We simulate the flux and the interaction of these relativistic dark mesons in the Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO) using the GENIE generator, considering both elastic scattering off nuclei and deep inelastic scattering channels. Based on the projected 20 kton$\cdot$year exposure, we derive sensitivity limits on the coupling strength between the dark gauge boson and the SM sector. Our results demonstrate that JUNO can probe substantial unexplored parameter space, particularly for light mediators ($m_{Z^\prime} \lesssim 10$ MeV), where it achieves sensitivities to the portal interaction as low as $2.4 \times 10^{-4}$.