arXiv subjects

J. Sander

Publications and source records attributed to J. Sander.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Exploring Low Energy Excess in MINER with sapphire detectors using Convolutional Variational Autoencoder (CVAE)

As cryogenic detectors push toward ever-lower energy thresholds, their sensitivity is increasingly constrained by a persistent low-energy background known as the low-energy excess (LEE). We report observation of LEE in the MINER experiment using a sapphire ($\mathrm{Al_2O_3}$) detector at energies around 200 eV, with the excess reproducibly reappearing after each non-operational warm-up period. To address this limiting background, we implement an unsupervised convolutional variational autoencoder (CVAE) framework that identifies anomalous events through a reconstruction-based anomaly score. For the first time in a pulse-shape driven analysis, we uncover a significant deviation in the rise-time of LEE events relative to Monte Carlo simulated ideal signals. Using this feature, we develop a discrimination pipeline based on rise-time selection. This method achieves up to 53\% rejection of LEE events, corresponding to an expected sensitivity improvement of nearly 10\% for MINER at HFIR. These findings are consistent with a scenario in which a substantial fraction of the LEE originates from bulk-related defects or microfractures within the detector crystal, while leaving room for additional detector-related contributions. Our result provides a powerful, data-driven pathway for mitigating LEE and enhancing the discovery potential of next-generation cryogenic experiments.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2026

Measurement of coherent elastic neutrino nucleus scattering on germanium by COHERENT

The COHERENT collaboration reports the most precise measurement of the coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering cross section to date. This measurement was performed with COHERENT's germanium detector array, Ge-Mini, at the Spallation Neutron Source at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. A cumulative exposure of $4.68\times10^{22}$ protons on target yielded a total number of observed counts of $124^{+14}_{-12}$ and a flux-averaged cross section of $1.00 \pm 0.10 \mathrm{(statistical)} \pm 0.10 \mathrm{(systematic)}$ relative to the standard-model expectation of $5.9\times10^{-39} \mathrm{cm}^2$. The well-understood energy and timing distributions of the neutrino source allow for independent measurements of muon- and electron-neutrino scattering rates. This information is used to improve constraints on non-standard neutrino interactions mediated by heavy particles.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2026

The COHERENT Experiment: 2026 Update

The COHERENT experiment measures neutrino-induced recoils from coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CEvNS) with multiple nuclear targets at the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), USA. Several successful CEvNS measurements have been achieved in recent years with tens-of-kg detector masses, with a CsI scintillating crystal, a liquid argon single-phase detector, and high-purity germanium spectrometers. For the next phase, COHERENT aims at high-statistics detection of CEvNS events for precision tests of the standard model of particle physics, and to probe new physics beyond-the-standard model. Percent-level precision can be achieved by lowering thresholds, reducing backgrounds, and by scaling up the detector masses. It goes hand in hand with benchmarking the neutrino flux from the SNS. Further detectors will measure CEvNS in additional nuclei, including lighter target nuclei such as sodium and neon, to continue to test the expected neutron-number-squared dependence of the cross section. COHERENT can furthermore study charged-current and neutral-current inelastic neutrino-nucleus cross sections on various nuclei at neutrino energies below $\sim$50 MeV. Many of these cross sections have never been measured before, but are critical input for the interpretation of core-collapse supernova detection in large-scale neutrino experiments such as DUNE, Super-K, Hyper-K, and HALO.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2025

CE$\nu$NS Search with Cryogenic Sapphire Detectors at MINER: Results from the TRIGA reactor data and Future Sensitivity at HFIR

We report on a search for coherent elastic neutrino--nucleus scattering (CE$\nu$NS) using cryogenic sapphire (Al$_2$O$_3$) detectors deployed at the Mitchell Institute Neutrino Experiment at Reactor (MINER), located near the 1~MW$_\text{th}$ TRIGA research reactor at Texas A\&M University. The experiment operated with a primary detector mass of 72~g and achieved a baseline energy resolution of $\sim 40$~eV. Using exposures of 158~g-days (reactor-on) and 381~g-days (reactor-off), we performed a statistical background subtraction in the energy region of 0.25--3~keV. A GEANT4 simulation has been performed to understand the reactor-correlated background present in the data and it agrees with our observations. The resulting best-fit ratio of the observed CE$\nu$NS rate to the Standard Model prediction after rejecting the reactor induced background from the data with the help of simulation, is $\rho = 0.26\pm 1534.74~\mathrm{(stat)} \pm 0.05~\mathrm{(sys)}$ with a significance of $0.007 \pm 0.022~\mathrm{(stat)} \pm 0.001~\mathrm{(sys)}$. This low significance indicates a high background rate at low energies. To have enhanced sensitivity, the MINER collaboration plans to relocate the experiment to the 85~MW$_\text{th}$ High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). With improved shielding, increased detector mass, and higher antineutrino flux, the upgraded setup is projected to achieve a 3$\sigma$ CE$\nu$NS detection within 30~kg$\cdot$days of exposure.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2025

AION-10: Technical Design Report for a 10m Atom Interferometer in Oxford

This Technical Design Report presents AION-10, a 10-meter atom interferometer to be located at Oxford University using ultracold strontium atoms to make precision measurements of fundamental physics. AION-10 serves as both a prototype for future larger-scale experiments and a versatile scientific instrument capable of conducting its own diverse physics programme. The design features a 10-meter vertical tower housing two atom interferometer sources in an ultra-high vacuum environment. Key engineering challenges include achieving nanometer-level vibrational stability and precise magnetic field control. Solutions include active vibration isolation, specialized magnetic shielding, and a modular assembly approach using professional lifting equipment. Detailed analysis confirms the design meets all performance requirements, with critical optical components remaining within our specifications 97% of the time under realistic operating conditions. Vacuum and vibration measurements in the host building validate that the instrument will achieve the precision needed for quantum sensing applications. This work establishes the technical foundation for scaling atom interferometry to longer baselines while creating a cutting-edge facility for precision measurements that could advance our understanding of fundamental physics.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2025

MINER Reactor Based Search for Axion-Like Particles Using Sapphire (Al2O3) Detectors

The absence of definitive results for WIMP dark matter has sparked growing interest in alternative dark matter candidates, such as axions and Axion-Like Particles (ALPs), which also provide insight into the strong CP problem. The Mitchell Institute Neutrino Experiment at Reactor (MINER), conducted at the Nuclear Science Center of Texas A&M University, investigated ALPs near a 1 MW TRIGA nuclear reactor core, positioned approximately 4 meters away. This experiment employed cryogenic sapphire detectors with a low detection threshold (approximately 100 eV), equipped with a Transition Edge Sensor capable of detecting athermal phonons. Due to the low-background environment, we were able to exclude ALPs with axion-photon coupling and axion-electron coupling as small as $g_{a\gamma\gamma} = 10^{-5}$ and $g_{aee} = 10^{-7}$, respectively. Energy depositions below 3 keV were not considered and remain blinded for our Coherent Elastic Neutrino Nucleus Scattering (CEvNS) analysis. This is the first result demonstrating the MINER experiment's potential to probe low-mass ALPs, enabled by its low-threshold detector and proximity to a reactor.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2025

A prototype differential atom interferometer for fundamental physics

Gravitational waves and ultralight dark matter are among the most compelling frontiers in fundamental physics, motivating proposals for Very Long-Baseline Atom Interferometers (VLBAIs) such as AION, MAGIS, AICE and AEDGE that aim to detect frequencies at which ground-based and space-borne laser interferometers lose sensitivity. VLBAIs look for signals by comparing the quantum phase evolution of widely separated atomic ensembles interrogated by a common laser. However, their performance depends critically on suppressing noise sources, particularly laser phase noise. Experimental validation of such noise rejection remains an important challenge. Here we demonstrate a prototype differential atom interferometer based on the single-photon clock transition of fermionic 87Sr, realising for the first time a gradiometer configuration with a species intrinsically suited to kilometre-scale and space-baseline operation. The instrument operates at the Standard Quantum Limit with no excess noise beyond atom shot noise, and the differential configuration maintains quantum-limited sensitivity in the presence of several radians of artificially injected laser phase noise per shot, emulating the conditions expected in a VLBAI. We further demonstrate recovery of coherent oscillatory signals across a broad frequency range under fully phase-randomised conditions, a capability that is inaccessible to a single interferometer operating in the same regime. These results provide an experimental validation of the noise-immune measurement principle underlying VLBAIs and mark an important step towards next-generation quantum sensors for gravitational-wave detection and searches for ultralight dark matter.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2024

Evidence of Coherent Elastic Neutrino-Nucleus Scattering with COHERENT's Germanium Array

We report the first detection of coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CEvNS) on natural germanium, measured at the Spallation Neutron Source at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The Ge-Mini detector of the COHERENT collaboration employs large-mass, low-noise, high-purity germanium spectrometers, enabling excellent energy resolution, and an analysis threshold of 1.5 keV electron-equivalent ionization energy. We observe a on-beam excess of 20.6 +7.1 -6.3 counts with a total exposure of 10.22 GWhkg and we reject the no-CEvNS hypothesis with 3.9 sigma significance. The result agrees with the predicted standard model of particle physics signal rate within 2 sigma.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2023

Accessing new physics with an undoped, cryogenic CsI CEvNS detector for COHERENT at the SNS

We consider the potential for a 10-kg undoped cryogenic CsI detector operating at the Spallation Neutron Source to measure coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering and its sensitivity to discover new physics beyond the standard model. Through a combination of increased event rate, lower threshold, and good timing resolution, such a detector would significantly improve on past measurements. We considered tests of several beyond-the-standard-model scenarios such as neutrino non-standard interactions and accelerator-produced dark matter. This detector's performance was also studied for relevant questions in nuclear physics and neutrino astronomy, namely the weak charge distribution of CsI nuclei and detection of neutrinos from a core-collapse supernova.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2023

COHERENT Collaboration data release from the measurements of CsI[Na] response to nuclear recoils

Description of the data release 10.13139/OLCF/1969085 (https://doi.ccs.ornl.gov/ui/doi/426) from the measurements of the CsI[Na] response to low energy nuclear recoils by the COHERENT collaboration. The release corresponds to the results published in "D. Akimov et al 2022 JINST 17 P10034". We share the data in the form of raw ADC waveforms, provide benchmark values, and share plots to enhance the transparency and reproducibility of our results. This document describes the contents of the data release as well as guidance on the use of the data.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2023

Measurement of the Electron-Neutrino Charged-Current Cross Sections on ${}^{127}$I with the COHERENT NaI$\nu$E detector

Using an 185-kg NaI[Tl] array, COHERENT has measured the inclusive electron-neutrino charged-current cross section on ${}^{127}$I with pion decay-at-rest neutrinos produced by the Spallation Neutron Source at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Iodine is one the heaviest targets for which low-energy ($\leq$ 50 MeV) inelastic neutrino-nucleus processes have been measured, and this is the first measurement of its inclusive cross section. After a five-year detector exposure, COHERENT reports a flux-averaged cross section for electron neutrinos of $9.2^{+2.1}_{-1.8} \times 10^{-40}$ cm$^2$. This corresponds to a value that is $\sim$41% lower than predicted using the MARLEY event generator with a measured Gamow-Teller strength distribution. In addition, the observed visible spectrum from charged-current scattering on $^{127}$I has been measured between 10 and 55 MeV, and the exclusive zero-neutron and one-or-more-neutron emission cross sections are measured to be $5.2^{+3.4}_{-3.1} \times 10^{-40}$ and $2.2^{+3.5}_{-2.2} \times 10^{-40}$ cm$^2$, respectively.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2023

A Search for Low-mass Dark Matter via Bremsstrahlung Radiation and the Migdal Effect in SuperCDMS

We present a new analysis of previously published of SuperCDMS data using a profile likelihood framework to search for sub-GeV dark matter (DM) particles through two inelastic scattering channels: bremsstrahlung radiation and the Migdal effect. By considering these possible inelastic scattering channels, experimental sensitivity can be extended to DM masses that are undetectable through the DM-nucleon elastic scattering channel, given the energy threshold of current experiments. We exclude DM masses down to $220~\textrm{MeV}/c^2$ at $2.7 \times 10^{-30}~\textrm{cm}^2$ via the bremsstrahlung channel. The Migdal channel search provides overall considerably more stringent limits and excludes DM masses down to $30~\textrm{MeV}/c^2$ at $5.0 \times 10^{-30}~\textrm{cm}^2$.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2022

Measurement of ${}^{nat}$Pb($\nu_e$,X$n$) production with a stopped-pion neutrino source

Using neutrinos produced at the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), the COHERENT collaboration has studied the Pb($\nu_e$,X$n$) process with a lead neutrino-induced-neutron (NIN) detector. Data from this detector are fit jointly with previously collected COHERENT data on this process. A combined analysis of the two datasets yields a cross section that is $0.29^{+0.17}_{-0.16}$ times that predicted by the MARLEY event generator using experimentally-measured Gamow-Teller strength distributions, consistent with no NIN events at 1.8$\sigma$. This is the first inelastic neutrino-nucleus process COHERENT has studied, among several planned exploiting the high flux of low-energy neutrinos produced at the SNS.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2022

Effective Field Theory Analysis of CDMSlite Run 2 Data

CDMSlite Run 2 was a search for weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) with a cryogenic 600 g Ge detector operated in a high-voltage mode to optimize sensitivity to WIMPs of relatively low mass from 2 - 20 GeV/$c^2$. In this article, we present an effective field theory (EFT) analysis of the CDMSlite Run 2 data using an extended energy range and a comprehensive treatment of the expected background. A binned likelihood Bayesian analysis was performed on the recoil energy data, taking into account the parameters of the EFT interactions and optimizing the data selection with respect to the dominant background components. Energy regions within 5$\sigma$ of known activation peaks were removed from the analysis. The Bayesian evidences resulting from the different operator hypotheses show that the CDMSlite Run 2 data are consistent with the background-only models and do not allow for a signal interpretation assuming any additional EFT interaction. Consequently, upper limits on the WIMP mass and coupling-coefficient amplitudes and phases are presented for each EFT operator. These limits improve previous CDMSlite Run 2 bounds for WIMP masses above 5 GeV/$c^2$.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2022

A COHERENT constraint on leptophobic dark matter using CsI data

We use data from the COHERENT CsI[Na] scintillation detector to constrain sub-GeV leptophobic dark matter models. This detector was built to observe low-energy nuclear recoils from coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering. These capabilities enable searches for dark matter particles produced at the Spallation Neutron Source mediated by a vector portal particle with masses between 2 and 400 MeV/c$^2$. No evidence for dark matter is observed and a limit on the mediator coupling to quarks is placed. This constraint improves upon previous results by two orders of magnitude. This newly explored parameter space probes the region where the dark matter relic abundance is explained by leptophobic dark matter when the mediator mass is roughly twice the dark matter mass. COHERENT sets the best constraint on leptophobic dark matter at these masses.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2022

Investigating the sources of low-energy events in a SuperCDMS-HVeV detector

Recent experiments searching for sub-GeV/$c^2$ dark matter have observed event excesses close to their respective energy thresholds. Although specific to the individual technologies, the measured excess event rates have been consistently reported at or below event energies of a few-hundred eV, or with charges of a few electron-hole pairs. In the present work, we operated a 1-gram silicon SuperCDMS-HVeV detector at three voltages across the crystal (0 V, 60 V and 100 V). The 0 V data show an excess of events in the tens of eV region. Despite this event excess, we demonstrate the ability to set a competitive exclusion limit on the spin-independent dark matter--nucleon elastic scattering cross section for dark matter masses of $\mathcal{O}(100)$ MeV/$c^2$, enabled by operation of the detector at 0 V potential and achievement of a very low $\mathcal{O}(10)$ eV threshold for nuclear recoils. Comparing the data acquired at 0 V, 60 V and 100 V potentials across the crystal, we investigated possible sources of the unexpected events observed at low energy. The data indicate that the dominant contribution to the excess is consistent with a hypothesized luminescence from the printed circuit boards used in the detector holder.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2022

The COHERENT Experimental Program

The COHERENT experiment located in Neutrino Alley at the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS), Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), has made the world's first two measurements of coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CEvNS), on CsI and argon, using neutrinos produced at the SNS. The COHERENT collaboration continues to pursue CEvNS measurements on various targets as well as additional studies of inelastic neutrino-nucleus interactions, searches for accelerator-produced dark matter (DM) and physics beyond the Standard Model, using the uniquely high-quality and high-intensity neutrino source available at the SNS. This white paper describes primarily COHERENT's ongoing and near-future program at the SNS First Target Station (FTS). Opportunities enabled by the SNS Second Target Station (STS) for the study of neutrino physics and development of novel detector technologies are elaborated in a separate white paper.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2022

A Strategy for Low-Mass Dark Matter Searches with Cryogenic Detectors in the SuperCDMS SNOLAB Facility

The SuperCDMS Collaboration is currently building SuperCDMS SNOLAB, a dark matter search focused on nucleon-coupled dark matter in the 1-5 GeV/c$^2$ mass range. Looking to the future, the Collaboration has developed a set of experience-based upgrade scenarios, as well as novel directions, to extend the search for dark matter using the SuperCDMS technology in the SNOLAB facility. The experienced-based scenarios are forecasted to probe many square decades of unexplored dark matter parameter space below 5 GeV/c$^2$, covering over 6 decades in mass: 1-100 eV/c$^2$ for dark photons and axion-like particles, 1-100 MeV/c$^2$ for dark-photon-coupled light dark matter, and 0.05-5 GeV/c$^2$ for nucleon-coupled dark matter. They will reach the neutrino fog in the 0.5-5 GeV/c$^2$ mass range and test a variety of benchmark models and sharp targets. The novel directions involve greater departures from current SuperCDMS technology but promise even greater reach in the long run, and their development must begin now for them to be available in a timely fashion. The experienced-based upgrade scenarios rely mainly on dramatic improvements in detector performance based on demonstrated scaling laws and reasonable extrapolations of current performance. Importantly, these improvements in detector performance obviate significant reductions in background levels beyond current expectations for the SuperCDMS SNOLAB experiment. Given that the dominant limiting backgrounds for SuperCDMS SNOLAB are cosmogenically created radioisotopes in the detectors, likely amenable only to isotopic purification and an underground detector life-cycle from before crystal growth to detector testing, the potential cost and time savings are enormous and the necessary improvements much easier to prototype.

physics.ins-det↗