arXiv subjects

C. Lee

Publications and source records attributed to C. Lee.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Optical characterization and ionizing-radiation response of the BCF-20XL scintillating-wavelength-shifting fiber

We report optical characterization and ionizing-radiation measurements of the scintillating-wavelength-shifting (Sci-WLS) fiber BCF-20XL from Luxium Solutions. Attenuation lengths were obtained from transmitted emission spectra using a 3.0 m fiber with a spectrophotometer and described with a two-component attenuation model, yielding a long attenuation length of 6.70 m and a short attenuation length of 0.16 m. The spectral measurements also reveal wavelength-dependent attenuation, with the long component increasing with wavelength and the short component becoming less significant at longer wavelengths. The scintillation response was also characterized under radioactive alpha, beta, and gamma irradiation using SiPM-based readout, providing a benchmark measurement of the light output from BCF-20XL.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2026

Sensitivity of a closed dielectric haloscope to axion dark matter

We present a method to determine the sensitivity of a closed dielectric haloscope to axion dark matter. Dielectric haloscopes aim to probe the theoretically well-motivated axion mass range of ~26 $\mathrm{\mu}$eV to ~500 $\mathrm{\mu}$eV by utilizing a stack of dielectric disks and a mirror to enhance the axion-photon conversion within an external magnetic field. Their conversion volume is nearly axion-mass independent, thereby favoring large-scale designs to increase sensitivity. The large volume causes simulations to be computationally expensive and time-consuming. This paper presents a simple model that can be used to determine the sensitivity of the experiment with minimal computational resources. The model is able to describe the electromagnetic response of a closed dielectric haloscope, accounting for realistic geometric imperfections, as well as the noise introduced by the receiver system. It is applied to data taken with a MAgnetized Disk and Mirror Axion Experiment (MADMAX) prototype within the 1.6 T Morpurgo magnet at CERN. This work underpins the first axion dark matter search using a dielectric haloscope and provides the foundation for future dark matter searches with MADMAX.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2026

Investigation of CeRh$_2$As$_2$ order parameters via ultrasound propagation anomalies

Unconventional superconductors with nearly degenerate pairing states are rare. CeRh$_2$As$_2$ has recently emerged as one of the few existing multi-phase superconductors. It exhibits a first-order phase transition between two distinct superconducting states when a magnetic field is applied along the crystallographic $c$-axis. While this behavior has been linked to locally broken inversion symmetry, a phase diagram based on a multi-component superconducting order parameter remains a possibility. Furthermore, superconductivity appears to coexist with an ordered state (phase I). Despite being the subject of many studies, little is known about the nature of the order parameters in both superconducting phases and phase I. Here, we use ultrasound-propagation measurements at low temperatures, in high magnetic fields and under hydrostatic pressure to address this issue. Our results strongly suggest that the superconducting order parameter in both phases is single-component, corroborating the role of local non-centrosymmetry in the development of multi-phase superconductivity in CeRh$_2$As$_2$. In addition, analysis of the elastic anomalies within the Landau framework of phase transitions strongly suggests the presence of an incommensurate magnetic order parameter in phase I.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2025

Response of wavelength-shifting and scintillating-wavelength-shifting fibers to ionizing radiation

We report results of characterizing the response and light transport of wavelength-shifting (WLS) and scintillating-wavelength-shifting (Sci-WLS) fibers under irradiation by radioactive $\alpha$, $\beta$, and $\gamma$ sources. Light yield and light transmission were measured for the WLS fiber BCF-91A from Saint-Gobain and for a new Sci-WLS fiber EJ-160 from Eljen Technology. The two variants with different fluor mixtures, EJ-160I and EJ-160II, exhibited approximately five and seven times higher light yield than BCF-91A, respectively, while their attenuation lengths were 3.80\,m for BCF-91A, 4.00\,m for EJ-160I, and 2.50\,m for EJ-160II.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2025

Optical characterization of wavelength-shifting and scintillating-wavelength-shifting fibers

We report results of optical characterizations of new wavelength-shifting and scintillating-wavelength-shifting fibers EJ-182 and EJ-160 from Eljen Technology and compare them to the wavelength-shifting fiber BCF-91A from Saint-Gobain. The wavelength-dependence of attenuation was derived from spectral measurements confirming that the long attenuation length increases with wavelength, while short attenuation effects become less significant at longer wavelengths. The impact of the environmental refractive index was studied by immersing the EJ-160II fiber in water. Immersing the fiber in water reduced the overall light output and suppressed the short attenuation component, which can be explained by reduced light-collection efficiency due to the smaller refractive-index contrast between the fiber cladding and the surrounding medium.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2025

Magneto-$\nu$: Heavy neutral lepton search using $^{241}$Pu $\beta^-$ decays

The MAGNETO-$\nu$ experiment searches for keV-scale heavy neutral leptons (HNLs) through precise measurements of the $\beta^-$-decay spectrum of $^{241}$Pu. We present spectra comprising a total of 194 million $\beta^-$ decays recorded using decay energy spectrometry with metallic magnetic calorimeters, representing the most statistically precise measurement of $^{241}$Pu $\beta^-$ decay to date. The $\beta$-endpoint energy was determined using $\gamma$ rays and X rays from an external $^{133}$Ba calibration source, yielding $Q_\beta = 22.273\,(33)$\,keV. The measured spectrum shows no statistically significant deviation from the allowed $\beta$-decay model. From a subset of the high-statistics data, we set an upper limit on the mixing of an 11.5-keV HNL with the electron neutrino, $|U_{e4}|^2 < 1.31 \times 10^{-3}$ at the 95\% confidence level.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2024

Performance of the prototype beam drift chamber for LAMPS at RAON with proton and Carbon-12 beams

Beam Drift Chamber (BDC) is designed to reconstruct the trajectories of incident rare isotope beams provided by RAON (Rare isotope Accelerator complex for ON-line experiments) into the experimental target of LAMPS (Large Acceptance Multi-Purpose Spectrometer). To conduct the performance test of the BDC, the prototype BDC (pBDC) is manufactured and evaluated with the high energy ion beams from HIMAC (Heavy Ion Medical Accelerator in Chiba) facility in Japan. Two kinds of ion beams, 100 MeV proton, and 200 MeV/u $^{12}$C, have been utilized for this evaluation, and the track reconstruction efficiency and position resolution have been measured as the function of applied high voltage. This paper introduces the construction details and presents the track reconstruction efficiency and position resolution of pBDC.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2024

First search for axion dark matter with a Madmax prototype

This paper presents the first search for dark matter axions with mass in the ranges 76.56 to 76.82 $\mu$eV and 79.31 to 79.53 $\mu$eV using a prototype setup for the MAgnetized Disk and Mirror Axion eXperiment (MADMAX). The experimental setup employs a dielectric haloscope consisting of three sapphire disks and a mirror to resonantly enhance the axion-induced microwave signal within the magnetic dipole field provided by the 1.6 T Morpurgo magnet at CERN. Over 14.5 days of data collection, no axion signal was detected. A 95% CL upper limit on the axion-photon coupling strength down to $|g_{a\gamma}| \sim 2 \times 10^{-11} \mathrm{GeV}^{-1}$ is set in the targeted mass ranges, surpassing previous constraints, assuming a local axion dark matter density $\rho_{a}$ of $0.3~\mathrm{GeV}/\mathrm{cm}^3$. This study marks the first axion dark matter search using a dielectric haloscope.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2024

First search for dark photon dark matter with a MADMAX prototype

We report the first result from a dark photon dark matter search in the mass range from ${78.62}$ to $83.95~\mathrm{\mu eV}/c^2$ with a dielectric haloscope prototype for MADMAX (Magnetized Disc and Mirror Axion eXperiment). Putative dark photons would convert to observable photons within a stack consisting of three sapphire disks and a mirror. The emitted power of this system is received by an antenna and successively digitized using a low-noise receiver. No dark photon signal has been observed. Assuming unpolarized dark photon dark matter with a local density of $\rho_{\chi}=0.3~\mathrm{GeV/cm^3}$ we exclude a dark photon to photon mixing parameter $\chi > 2.7 \times 10^{-12}$ over the full mass range and $\chi > 1.1 \times 10^{-13}$ at a mass of $80.57~\mathrm{\mu eV}/c^2$ with a 95\% confidence level. This is the first physics result from a MADMAX prototype and exceeds previous constraints on $\chi$ in this mass range by up to almost three orders of magnitude.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2024

Nonclassicality in Two-Mode Stabilized Squeezed Coherent State: Quantum-to-Classical transition

We consider a two-mode stabilized squeezed coherent state (SSCS) of light and introduce the $\Pi_{\rm N}$ indicator, a novel measure for characterizing nonclassicality in the resulting EPR-entangled state. Unlike existing methods based on Cauchy-Schwarz or Murihead inequalities, $\Pi_{\rm N}$ leverages analytical solutions to the quantum Langevin equations to directly analyze nonclassicality arising from key processes like bichromatic injection, frequency conversion, and parametric down-conversion (both spontaneous and stimulated). This approach not only identifies the optimal phase for maximum nonclassicality but also reveals two new phenomena: first, both intra-cavity and extra-cavity fields exhibit the same degree of nonclassicality, and second, balanced seeding in phase-mismatched configurations induces nonclassicality across a broad range of squeezing and seeding parameters. Our work deepens the understanding of the intricate dependence of nonclassicality on system parameters in the context of SSCS, paving the way for investigations into the quantum-to-classical transition in entangled systems. The potential of $\Pi_{\rm N}$ holds significant promise for advancements in quantum optics and information science.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2022

Dynamic effect of electron-number parity in metal nanoparticles

Parity is a ubiquitous notion in science and serves as a fundamental principle for describing a physical system. Nanometer-scale metal objects are predicted to show dramatic differences in physical properties depending on the electron-number parity. However, the identification of the electron-number parity effects in real metal nanoparticles has remained elusive because of the variations in various features of nanoparticles. Here we report the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) detection of the dynamic effect of the electron-number parity in silver nanoparticles. With theoretical modeling of the NMR relaxation in silver nanoparticles, the measured nuclear spin-lattice relaxation rate is found to be proportional to the electron-number-parity-dependent susceptibility and to the temperature. This observation demonstrates the electron-number-parity-governed spin dynamics in silver nanoparticles.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2022

An innovative materials design protocol for the development of novel refractory high-entropy alloys for extreme environments

In the quest of new materials that can withstand severe irradiation and mechanical extremes for advanced applications (e.g. fission reactors, fusion devices, space applications, etc), design, prediction and control of advanced materials beyond current material designs become a paramount goal. Here, though a combined experimental and simulation methodology, the design of a new nanocrystalline refractory high entropy alloy (RHEA) system is established. Compositions of this alloy, assessed under extreme environments and in situ electron-microscopy, revealed both high mechanical strength and thermal stability, grain refinement under heavy ion irradiation and outstanding irradiation resistance to dual-beam irradiation and helium implantation, marked by remarkable resistance to defect generation, growth and coalescence. The experimental and modeling results, which demonstrated notable agreement, can be applied to design and rapidly assess other alloys subjected to extreme environmental conditions.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2022

Measurement of binding kinetics using quantum plasmonic resonance sensing applied to HIV-1

The work done in this paper is an extension of the work done by Mpofu et al in [1]. The motivation for this paper is to show the potential of quantum bio-sensing techniques in applications to complex viruses like the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and to show it's potential in binding reactions where the signal is small and can potentially be buried in noise. In this paper we show theoretically that using quantum states of light such as the Fock state improves the precision in the estimation of kinetic parameters measured from the sensorgrams produced by the Kretschmann conguration. Though the Fock state is not the only quantum state in this study we look only at the Fock state because it has been shown to be the state which offers the best enhancement [1]. We show here that the Fock state allows us to measure the parameters more accurately in comparison to the classical (Coherent) state of light. We consider in this paper a binding reaction involving HIV type 1 (HIV-1). Specifically we look at the binding reaction between a variant of HIV-1 protease and nelnavir which is an inhibitor. Such a study is also offers value for drug discovery research as it points to the development of new technologies which can be applied to testing the efficacy of new drugs. Quantum technologies can prove to be useful in the fight against the HIV pandemic and assist in the continual research towards the development of treatments and a cure.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2022

Axion Dark Matter

Axions are well-motivated dark matter candidates with simple cosmological production mechanisms. They were originally introduced to solve the strong CP problem, but also arise in a wide range of extensions to the Standard Model. This Snowmass white paper summarizes axion phenomenology and outlines next-generation laboratory experiments proposed to detect axion dark matter. There are vibrant synergies with astrophysical searches and advances in instrumentation including quantum-enabled readout, high-Q resonators and cavities and large high-field magnets. This white paper outlines a clear roadmap to discovery, and shows that the US is well-positioned to be at the forefront of the search for axion dark matter in the coming decade.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2022

Whitepaper submitted to Snowmass21: Advanced accelerator linear collider demonstration facility at intermediate energy

It is widely accepted that the next lepton collider beyond a Higgs factory would require center-of-mass energy of the order of up to 15 TeV. Since, given reasonable space and cost restrictions, conventional accelerator technology reaches its limits near this energy, high-gradient advanced acceleration concepts are attractive. Advanced and novel accelerators (ANAs) are leading candidates due to their ability to produce acceleration gradients on the order of 1--100~GV/m, leading to compact acceleration structures. Over the last 10-15 years significant progress has been achieved in accelerating electron beams by ANAs. For example, the demonstration of several-GeV electron beams from laser-powered capillary discharge waveguides, as well as the proof-of-principle coupling of two accelerating structures powered by different laser pulses, has increased interest in ANAs as a viable technology to be considered for a compact, TeV-class, lepton linear collider. However, intermediate facilities are required to test the technology and demonstrate key subsystems. A 20-100 GeV center-of-mass energy ANA-based lepton collider can be a possible candidate for an intermediate facility. Apart from being a test beam facility for accelerator and detector studies, this collider will provide opportunities to study muon and proton beam acceleration, investigate charged particle interactions with extreme electromagnetic fields (relevant for beam delivery system designs and to study the physics at the interaction point), as well as precision Quantum Chromodynamics and Beyond the Standard Model physics measurements. Possible applications of this collider include the studies of $\gamma\gamma$ and $e$-ion collider designs.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2021

Alpha backgrounds in the AMoRE-Pilot experiment

The Advanced Mo-based Rare process Experiment (AMoRE)-Pilot experiment is an initial phase of the AMoRE search for neutrinoless double beta decay of $^{100}$Mo, with the purpose of investigating the level and sources of backgrounds. Searches for neutrinoless double beta decay generally require ultimately low backgrounds. Surface $\alpha$ decays on the crystals themselves or nearby materials can deposit a continuum of energies that can be as high as the $Q$-value of the decay itself and may fall in the region of interest (ROI). To understand these background events, we studied backgrounds from radioactive contaminations internal to and on the surface of the crystals or nearby materials with Geant4-based Monte Carlo simulations. In this study, we report on the measured $\alpha$ energy spectra fitted with the corresponding simulated spectra for six crystal detectors, where sources of background contributions could be identified through high energy $\alpha$ peaks and continuum parts in the energy spectrum for both internal and surface contaminations. We determine the low-energy contributions from internal and surface $\alpha$ contaminations by extrapolating from the $\alpha$ background fitting model.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2021

Experimental measurement of kinetic parameters using quantum plasmonic sensing

Kinetic models are essential for describing how molecules interact in a variety of biochemical processes. The estimation of a model's kinetic parameters by experiment enables researchers to understand how pathogens, such as viruses, interact with other entities like antibodies and trial drugs. In this work, we report a simple proof-of-principle experiment that uses quantum sensing techniques to give a more precise estimation of kinetic parameters than is possible with a classical approach. The interaction we study is that of bovine serum albumin (BSA) binding to gold via an electrostatic mechanism. BSA is an important protein in biochemical research as it can be conjugated with other proteins and peptides to create sensors with a wide range of specificity. We use single photons generated via parametric down-conversion to probe the BSA-gold interaction in a plasmonic resonance sensor. We find that sub-shot-noise level fluctuations in the sensor signal allow us to achieve an improvement in the precision of up to 31.8% for the values of the kinetic parameters. This enhancement can in principle be further increased in the setup. Our work highlights the potential use of quantum states of light for sensing in biochemical research.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2021

Measuring kinetic parameters using quantum plasmonic sensing

The measurement of parameters that describe kinetic processes is important in the study of molecular interactions. It enables a deeper understanding of the physical mechanisms underlying how different biological entities interact with each other, such as viruses with cells, vaccines with antibodies, or new drugs with specific diseases. In this work, we study theoretically the use of quantum sensing techniques for measuring the kinetic parameters of molecular interactions. The sensor we consider is a plasmonic resonance sensor -- a label-free photonic sensor that is one of the most widely used in research and industry. The first type of interaction we study is the antigen BSA interacting with antibody IgG1, which provides a large sensor response. The second type is the enzyme carbonic anhydrase interacting with the tumor growth inhibitor benzenesulfonamide, which produces a small sensor response. For both types of interaction we consider the use of two-mode Fock states, squeezed vacuum states and squeezed displaced states. We find that these quantum states offer an enhancement in the measurement precision of kinetic parameters when compared to that obtained with classical light. The results may help in the design of more precise quantum-based sensors for studying kinetics in the life sciences.

quant-ph↗