arXiv subjects

K. W. Kim

Publications and source records attributed to K. W. Kim.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2018

Measurement of low-energy background events due to $^{222}$Rn contamination on the surface of a NaI(Tl) crystal

It has been known that decays of daughter elements of $^{222}$Rn on the surface of a detector cause significant background at energies below 10 keV. In particular $^{210}$Pb and $^{210}$Po decays on the crystal surface result in significant background for dark matter search experiments with NaI(Tl) crystals. In this report, measurement of $^{210}$Pb and $^{210}$Po decays on surfaces are obtained by using a $^{222}$Rn contaminated crystal. Alpha decay events of $^{210}$Po on the surface are measured by coincidence requirements of two attached crystals. Due to recoiling of $^{206}$Pb, rapid nuclear recoil events are observed. A mean time characterization demonstrates that $^{206}$Pb recoil events can be statistically separated from those of sodium or iodine nuclear recoil events, as well as electron recoil events.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2018

Study of fast neutron detector for COSINE-100 experiment

A monitoring system for fast neutrons is planned in the COSINE experiment, a dark matter experiment with NaI crystals. We pursued several R&D approaches for a neutron detector using a liquid scintillator (LS). A pulse shape discrimination (PSD) technique is used for the identification of neutron events and the PSD properties of two different LS were compared. A good separation power between neutrons and $γ$ has been achieved for energies between 200 keVee to 1500 keVee. The combination of alumina adsorption, filtration, and water extraction is effective in purifying the LS, which leads to a reduction in the $α$ contamination by $^{210}$Po of more than a factor of two. The measured activities of the internal $α$ are 0.36$\pm$0.04~mBq/kg and 0.21$\pm$0.03~mBq/kg before and after purification, respectively.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2018

Initial Performance of the COSINE-100 Experiment

COSINE is a dark matter search experiment based on an array of low background NaI(Tl) crystals located at the Yangyang underground laboratory. The assembly of COSINE-100 was completed in the summer of 2016 and the detector is currently collecting physics quality data aimed at reproducing the DAMA/LIBRA experiment that reported an annual modulation signal. Stable operation has been achieved and will continue for at least two years. Here, we describe the design of COSINE-100, including the shielding arrangement, the configuration of the NaI(Tl) crystal detection elements, the veto systems, and the associated operational systems, and we show the current performance of the experiment.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2017

Muon detector for the COSINE-100 experiment

The COSINE-100 dark matter search experiment has started taking physics data with the goal of performing an independent measurement of the annual modulation signal observed by DAMA/LIBRA. A muon detector was constructed by using plastic scintillator panels in the outermost layer of the shield surrounding the COSINE-100 detector. It is used to detect cosmic ray muons in order to understand the impact of the muon annual modulation on dark matter analysis. Assembly and initial performance test of each module have been performed at a ground laboratory. The installation of the detector in Yangyang Underground Laboratory (Y2L) was completed in the summer of 2016. Using three months of data, the muon underground flux was measured to be 328 $\pm$ 1(stat.)$\pm$ 10(syst.) muons/m$^2$/day. In this report, the assembly of the muon detector and the results from the analysis are presented.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2016

Search for solar axions with CsI(Tl) crystal detectors

The results of a search for solar axions from the Korea Invisible Mass Search (KIMS) experiment at the Yangyang Underground Laboratory are presented. Low-energy electron-recoil events would be produced by conversion of solar axions into electrons via the axio-electric effect in CsI(Tl) crystals. Using data from an exposure of 34,596 $\rm kg \cdot days$, we set a 90 \% confidence level upper limit on the axion-electron coupling, $g_{ae}$, of $1.39 \times 10^{-11}$ for an axion mass less than 1 keV/$\rm c^2$. This limit is lower than the indirect solar neutrino bound, and fully excludes QCD axions heavier than 0.48 eV/$\rm c^2$ and 140.9 eV/$\rm c^2$ for the DFSZ and KSVZ models respectively.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2016

Understanding internal backgrounds of NaI(Tl) crystals toward a 200~kg array for the KIMS-NaI experiment

The Korea Invisible Mass Search (KIMS) collaboration has developed low-background NaI(Tl) crystals that are suitable for the direct detection of WIMP dark matter. With experience built on the KIMS-CsI programs, the KIMS-NaI experiment will consist of a 200~kg NaI(Tl) crystal array surrounded by layers of shielding structures and will be operated at the Yangyang underground laboratory. The goal is to provide an unambiguous test of the DAMA/LIBRA's annual modulation signature. Measurements of six prototype crystals show progress in the reduction of internal contaminations of radioisotopes. Based on our understanding of these measurements, we expect to achieve a background level in the final detector configuration that is less than 1~count/day/keV/kg for recoil energies around 2~keV. The annual modulation sensitivity for the KIMS-NaI experiment shows that an unambiguous 7$σ$ test of the DAMA/LIBRA signature would be possible with a 600~kg$\cdot$year exposure with this system.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2015

Spatially dispersive dynamical response of hot carriers in doped graphene

We study theoretically wave-vector and frequency dispersion of the complex dynamic conductivity tensor (DCT), $σ_{lm}(\mathbf{k}, ω)$, of doped monolayer graphene under a strong dc electric field. For a general analysis, we consider the weak ac field of arbitrary configuration given by two independent vectors, the ac field polarization and the wave vector $\mathbf{k}$. The high-field transport and linear response to the ac field are described on the base of the Boltzmann kinetic equation. We show that the real part of DCT, calculated in the collisionless regime, is not zero due to dissipation of the ac wave, whose energy is absorbed by the resonant Dirac quasiparticles effectively interacting with the wave. The role of the kinematic resonance at $ω= v_F |{\bf k}|$ ($v_{F}$ is the Fermi velocity) is studied in detail taking into account deviation from the linear energy spectrum and screening by the charge carriers. The isopower-density curves and distributions of angle between the ac current density and field vectors are presented as a map which provides clear graphic representation of the DCT anisotropy. Also, the map shows certain ac field configurations corresponding to a negative power density, thereby it indicates regions of terahertz frequency for possible electrical (drift) instability in the graphene system.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2015

Pulse-shape discrimination between electron and nuclear recoils in a NaI(Tl) crystal

We report on the response of a high light-output NaI(Tl) crystal to nuclear recoils induced by neutrons from an Am-Be source and compare the results with the response to electron recoils produced by Compton scattered 662 keV $γ$-rays from a $^{137}$Cs source. The measured pulse-shape discrimination (PSD) power of the NaI(Tl) crystal is found to be significantly improved because of the high light output of the NaI(Tl) detector. We quantify the PSD power with a quality factor and estimate the sensitivity to the interaction rate for weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) with nucleons, and the result is compared with the annual modulation amplitude observed by the DAMA/LIBRA experiment. The sensitivity to spin-independent WIMP-nucleon interactions based on 100 kg$\cdot$year of data from NaI detectors is estimated with simulated experiments, using the standard halo model.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2015

Measurement of the quenching and channeling effects in a CsI crystal used for a WIMP search

We have studied channeling effects in a Cesium Iodide (CsI) crystal that is similar in composition to the ones being used in a search for Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs) dark matter candidates, and measured its energy-dependent quenching factor, the relative scintillation yield for electron and nuclear recoils. The experimental results are reproduced with a GEANT4 simulation that includes a model of the scintillation efficiency as a function of electronic stopping power. We present the measured and simulated quenching factors and the estimated effects of channeling.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2014

Direct characterization of photo-induced lattice dynamics in BaFe2As2

Ultrafast light pulses can modify the electronic properties of quantum materials by perturbing the underlying, intertwined degrees of freedom. In particular, iron-based superconductors exhibit a strong coupling among electronic nematic fluctuations, spins, and the lattice, serving as a playground for ultrafast manipulation. Here we use time-resolved x-ray scattering to measure the lattice dynamics of photo-excited BaFe2As2. Upon optical excitation, no signature of an ultrafast change of the crystal symmetry is observed, but the lattice oscillates rapidly in time due to the coherent excitation of an A1g mode that modulates the Fe-As-Fe bond angle. We directly quantify the coherent lattice dynamics and show that even a small photo-induced lattice distortion can induce notable changes in the electronic and magnetic properties. Our analysis implies that transient structural modification can generally be an effective tool for manipulating the electronic properties of multi-orbital systems, where electronic instabilities are sensitive to the orbital character of bands near the Fermi level.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2014

Tests on NaI(Tl) crystals for WIMP search at the Yangyang Underground Laboratory

Among the direct search experiments for WIMP dark matter, the DAMA experiment observed an annual modulation signal interpreted as WIMP interactions with 9.2$σ$ significance. However, this result is contradictory with other direct search experiments reporting null signals in the same parameter space allowed by the DAMA observation, necessitating clarification of the origin of the modulation signal observed using the NaI(Tl) crystals of the DAMA experiment independently. Here, we report the first results of NaI(Tl) crystal measurement at the Yangyang Underground Laboratory to grow ultra-low-background NaI(Tl) crystal detectors.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2014

Neutron calibration facility with an Am-Be source for pulse shape discrimination measurement of CsI(Tl) crystals

We constructed a neutron calibration facility based on a 300-mCi Am-Be source in conjunction with a search for weakly interacting massive particle candidates for dark matter. The facility is used to study the response of CsI(Tl) crystals to nuclear recoils induced by neutrons from the Am-Be source and comparing them with the response to electron recoils produced by Compton scattering of 662-keV $γ$-rays from a $^{137}$Cs source. The measured results on pulse shape discrimination (PSD) between nuclear- and electron-recoil events are quantified in terms of quality factors. A comparison with similar result from a neutron reactor demonstrate the feasibility of performing calibrations of PSD measurements using neutrons from a Am-Be source.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2014

Search for Low-Mass Dark Matter with CsI(Tl) Crystal Detectors

We present a search for low-mass ($\leq 20 GeV/c^{2}$) weakly interacting massive particles(WIMPs), strong candidates of dark matter particles,using the low-background CsI(Tl) detector array of the Korea Invisible Mass Search (KIMS) experiment. With a total data exposure of 24,324.3kg$\cdot$days,we search for WIMP interaction signals produced by nuclei recoiling from WIMP-nuclear elastic scattering with visible energies between 2 and 4keV. The observed energy distribution of candidate events is consistent with null signals, and upper limits of the WIMP-proton spin-independent interaction are set with a 90% confidence level. The observed limit rejects most of the low mass region of parameter space favored by the DAMA annual modulation signal.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2014

Phonon-assisted optical excitation in the narrow bandgap Mott insulator Sr3Ir2O7

We examined the temperature (T) evolution of the optical conductivity spectra of Sr$_3$Ir$_2$O$_7$ over a wide range of 10-400 K. The system was barely insulating, exhibiting a small indirect bandgap of $\sim$0.1 eV. The low-energy features of the optical d-d excitation (${\hbar}ω$ $<$ 0.3 eV) evolved drastically, whereas such evolution was not observed for the O K-edge X-ray absorption spectra. This suggests that the T evolution in optical spectra is not caused by a change in the bare (undressed) electronic structure, but instead, presumably originates from an abundance of phonon-assisted indirect excitations. Our results showed that the low-energy excitations were dominated by phonon-absorption processes which involve, in particular, the optical phonons. This implies that phonon-assisted processes significantly facilitate the charge dynamics in barely insulating Sr$_3$Ir$_2$O$_7$.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2013

Low-energy interband transitions in the infrared response of Ba(Fe1-xCox)2As2

We studied the doping and temperature (T) dependence of the infrared (IR) response of Ba(Fe1-xCox)2As2 single crystals. We show that a weak band around 1000 cm-1, that was previously interpreted in terms of interaction of the charge carriers with magnetic excitations or of a pseudogap, is rather related to low-energy interband transitions. Specifically, we show that this band exhibits a similar doping and T-dependence as the hole pockets seen by angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES). Notably, we find that it vanishes as a function of doping near the critical point where superconductivity is suppressed in the overdoped regime. Our IR data thus provide bulk specific information (complementary to the surface sensitive ARPES) for a Lifshitz transition. Our IR data also reveal a second low-energy band around 2300 cm-1 which further emphasizes the necessity to consider the multiband nature of these iron arsenides in the analysis of the optical response.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2013

Optical probe of ferroelectric order in bulk and thin film perovskite titanates

We have measured the temperature dependence of the direct band gap, $E_g$, in SrTi$^{16}$O$_3$ and BaTiO$_3$ and related materials with quantum-paraelectric and ferroelectric properties using optical spectroscopy. We show that $E_g$ exhibits an anomalous temperature dependence with pronounced changes in the vicinity of the ferroelectric transition that can be accounted for in terms of the Fröhlich electron-phonon interaction with an optical phonon mode, the so-called soft mode. We demonstrate that these characteristic changes of $E_g$ can be readily detected even in very thin films of SrTi$^{16}$O$_3$ with a strain-induced ferroelectric order. Optical spectroscopy thus can be used as a relatively simple but sensitive probe of ferroelectric order in very thin films of these titanates and probably also in subsequent multilayers and devices.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2013

Temperature Evolution of Itinerant Ferromagnetism in SrRuO3 Probed by Optical Spectroscopy

The temperature ($T$) dependence of the optical conductivity spectra $σ(ω)$ of a single crystal SrRuO$_3$ thin film is studied over a $T$ range from 5 to 450 K. We observed significant $T$ dependence of the spectral weights of the charge transfer and interband $d$-$d$ transitions across the ferromagnetic Curie temperature ($T_c$ ~ 150 K). Such $T$ dependence was attributed to the increase in the Ru spin moment, which is consistent with the results of density functional theory calculations. $T$ scans of $σ(Ω, T)$ at fixed frequencies $Ω$ reveal a clear $T^2$ dependence below $T_c$, demonstrating that the Stoner mechanism is involved in the evolution of the electronic structure. In addition, $σ(Ω, T)$ continues to evolve at temperatures above $T_c$, indicating that the local spin moment persists in the paramagnetic state. This suggests that SrRuO$_3$ is an intriguing oxide system with itinerant ferromagnetism.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2013

First-Principles Calculation of Thermal Transport in the Metal/Graphene System

Thermal properties in the metal/graphene (Gr) systems are analyzed by using an atomistic phonon transport model based on Landauer formalism and first-principles calculations. The specific structures under investigation include chemisorbed Ni(111)/Gr, physisorbed Cu(111)/Gr and Au(111)/Gr, as well as Pd(111)/Gr with intermediate characteristics. Calculated results illustrate a strong dependence of thermal transfer on the details of interfacial microstructures. In particular, it is shown that the chemisorbed case provides a generally smaller interfacial thermal resistance than the physisorbed due to the stronger bonding. However, our calculation also indicates that the weakly chemisorbed interface of Pd/Gr may be an exception, with the largest thermal resistance among the considered. Further examination of the electrostatic potential and interatomic force constants reveal that the mixed bonding force between the Pd and C atoms results in incomplete hybridization of Pd and graphene orbital states at the junction, leading effectively to two phonon interfaces and a larger than expected thermal resistance. Comparison with available experimental data shows good agreement. The result clearly suggests the feasibility of phonon engineering for thermal property optimization at the interface.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗