arXiv subjects

M. v. Sivers

Publications and source records attributed to M. v. Sivers.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2017

Description of CRESST-II data

In Phase 2 of CRESST-II 18 detector modules were operated for about two years (July 2013 - August 2015). Together with this document we are publishing data from two detector modules which have been used for direct dark-matter searches. With these data-sets we were able to set world-leading limits on the cross section for spin-independent elastic scattering of dark matter particles off nuclei. We publish the energies of all events within the acceptance regions for dark-matter searches. In addition, we also publish the energies of the events within the electron-recoil band. This data set can be used to study interactions with electrons of CaWO$_4$. In this document we describe how to use these data sets. In particular, we explain the cut-survival probabilities required for comparisons of models with the data sets.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2017

In-situ study of light production and transport in phonon/light detector modules for dark matter search

The CRESST experiment (Cryogenic Rare Event Search with Superconducting Thermometers) searches for dark matter via the phonon and light signals of elastic scattering processes in scintillating crystals. The discrimination between a possible dark matter signal and background is based on the light yield. We present a new method for evaluating the two characteristics of a phonon/light detector module that determine how much of the deposited energy is converted to scintillation light and how efficiently a module detects the produced light. In contrast to former approaches with dedicated setups, we developed a method which allows us to use data taken with the cryogenic setup, during a dark matter search phase. In this way, we accounted for the entire process that occurs in a detector module, and obtained information on the light emission of the crystal as well as information on the performance of the module (light transport and detection). We found that with the detectors operated in CRESST-II phase 1, about 20% of the produced scintillation light is detected. A part of the light is likely absorbed by creating meta-stable excitations in the scintillating crystals. The light not detected is not absorbed entirely, as an additional light detector can help to increase the fraction of detected light.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2017

The GeMSE Facility for Low-Background γ-Ray Spectrometry

We describe a new high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector setup for low-background γ-ray spectrometry. The GeMSE facility (Germanium Material and meteorite Screening Experiment) is dedicated to material screening for rare event searches in astroparticle physics as well as to the characterization of meteorites. It is installed in a medium depth (~620 m.w.e.) underground laboratory in Switzerland in a multi-layer shielding and is equipped with an active muon veto. We have reached a very competitive integral background rate of (246$\pm$2) counts/day (100-2700 keV) and measured a sensitivity of $\sim$0.5-0.6 mBq/kg for long-lived isotopes from the $^{238}$U/$^{232}$Th chains in a $\sim$1\,kg sample screened for $\sim$27 days. An extrapolation to higher sample masses and measurement times suggests a maximum sensitivity in the $\mathcal{O}(50)$ μBq/kg range. We describe the data analysis based on Bayesian statistics, background simulations, the efficiency calibration and first sample measurements.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2016

New Limits on Double Electron Capture of $^{40}$Ca and $^{180}$W

We analyzed low-background data from the CRESST-II experiment with a total net exposure of 730 kg days to extract limits on double electron capture processes. We established new limits for $^{40}$Ca with $T_{1/2}^{2v2K}>9.9\times10^{21}$ y and $T_{1/2}^{0v2EC}>1.4\times10^{22}$ y and for $^{180}$W with T$_{1/2}^{2v2K}>3.1\times10^{19}$ y and $T_{1/2}^{0v2EC}>9.4\times10^{18}$ y at 90% CL. Depending on the process, these values improve the currently best limits by a factor of $\sim$1.4-30.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2016

Beta/gamma and alpha backgrounds in CRESST-II Phase 2

The experiment CRESST-II aims at the detection of dark matter with scintillating CaWO$_4$ crystals operated as cryogenic detectors. Recent results on spin-independent WIMP-nucleon scattering from the CRESST-II Phase 2 allowed to probe a new region of parameter space for WIMP masses below 3 GeV/c$^2$. This sensitivity was achieved after background levels were reduced significantly. We present extensive background studies of a CaWO$_4$ crystal, called TUM40, grown at the Technische Universität München. The average beta/gamma rate of 3.51/[kg keV day] (1-40 keV) and the total intrinsic alpha activity from natural decay chains of $3.08\pm0.04$ mBq/kg are the lowest reported for CaWO$_4$ detectors. Contributions from cosmogenic activation, surface-alpha decays, external radiation and intrinsic alpha/beta emitters are investigated in detail. A Monte-Carlo based background decomposition allows to identify the origin of the majority of beta/gamma events in the energy region relevant for dark matter search.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2016

Energy-Dependent Light Quenching in CaWO$_4$ Crystals at mK Temperatures

Scintillating CaWO$_4$ single crystals are a promising multi-element target for rare-event searches and are currently used in the direct Dark Matter experiment CRESST (Cryogenic Rare Event Search with Superconducting Thermometers). The relative light output of different particle interactions in CaWO$_4$ is quantified by Quenching Factors (QFs). These are essential for an active background discrimination and the identification of a possible signal induced by weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs). We present the first precise measurements of the QFs of O, Ca and W at mK temperatures by irradiating a cryogenic detector with a fast neutron beam. A clear energy dependence of the QF of O and, less pronounced, of Ca was observed for the first time. Furthermore, in CRESST neutron-calibration data a variation of the QFs among different CaWO$_4$ single crystals was found. For typical CRESST detectors the QFs in the region-of-interest (10-40$\,$keV) are $QF_O^{ROI}=(11.2{\pm}0.5)\,$%, $QF_{Ca}^{ROI}=(5.94{\pm}0.49)\,$% and $QF_W^{ROI}=(1.72{\pm}0.21)\,$%. The latest CRESST data (run32) is reanalyzed using these fundamentally new results on light quenching in CaWO$_4$ having moderate influence on the WIMP analysis. Their relevance for future CRESST runs and for the clarification of previously published results of direct Dark Matter experiments is emphasized.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2016

A detector module with highly efficient surface-alpha event rejection operated in CRESST-II Phase 2

The cryogenic dark matter experiment CRESST-II aims at the direct detection of WIMPs via elastic scattering off nuclei in scintillating CaWO$_4$ crystals. We present a new, highly improved, detector design installed in the current run of CRESST-II Phase 2 with an efficient active rejection of surface-alpha backgrounds. Using CaWO$_4$ sticks instead of metal clamps to hold the target crystal, a detector housing with fully-scintillating inner surface could be realized. The presented detector (TUM40) provides an excellent threshold of ${\sim}\,0.60\,$keV and a resolution of $σ\,{\approx}\,0.090$ keV (at 2.60$\,$keV). With significantly reduced background levels, TUM40 sets stringent limits on the spin-independent WIMP-nucleon scattering cross section and probes a new region of parameter space for WIMP masses below 3$\,$GeV/c$^2$. In this paper, we discuss the novel detector design and the surface-alpha event rejection in detail.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2015

Low-Temperature Scintillation Properties of CaWO4 Crystals for Rare-Event Searches

In prospect of its application in cryogenic rare-event searches, we have investigated the low-temperature scintillation properties of CaWO4 crystals down to 3.4 K under α and γ excitation. Concerning the scintillation decay times, we observe a long component in the ms range which significantly contributes to the light yield below 40K. For the first time we have measured the temperature dependence of the α/γ- ratio of the light yield. This parameter which can be used to discriminate α and γ events in scintillating bolometers is found to be about 8-15% smaller at low temperatures compared to room temperature.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2015

Impact of Coherent Neutrino Nucleus Scattering on Direct Dark Matter Searches based on CaWO$_4$ Crystals

Atmospheric and solar neutrinos scattering coherently off target nuclei will be an important background source for the next generation of direct dark matter searches. In this work we focus on calcium tungstate as target material. For comparison with existing works we calculate the neutrino floor indicating which sensitivities can be reached before the neutrino background appears. In addition, we investigate the sensitivities of future direct dark matter searches using CRESST-II like detectors. Extending previous works we take into account achievable energy resolutions and thresholds as well as beta and gamma backgrounds for this investigation. We show that an exploration of WIMP-nucleon cross sections below the neutrino floor is possible for exposures of $\gtrsim10$ kg-years or higher. In the third part we show that a first detection of coherent neutrino nucleus scattering of atmospheric and solar neutrinos using the same detectors and the backgrounds is feasible for exposures of $\gtrsim50$ kg-years.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2015

Results on low mass WIMPs using an upgraded CRESST-II detector

The CRESST-II cryogenic dark matter search aims for the detection of WIMPs via elastic scattering off nuclei in CaWO$_4$ crystals. We present results from a low-threshold analysis of a single upgraded detector module. This module efficiently vetoes low energy backgrounds induced by $α$-decays on inner surfaces of the detector. With an exposure of \unit[29.35]{kg live days} collected in 2013 we set a limit on spin-independent WIMP-nucleon scattering which probes a new region of parameter space for WIMP masses below \unit[3]{GeV/c$^2$}, previously not covered in direct detection searches. A possible excess over background discussed for the previous CRESST-II phase 1 (from 2009 to 2011) is not confirmed.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2014

Neganov-Luke amplified cryogenic light detectors for the background discrimination in neutrinoless double beta decay search with TeO$_{2}$ bolometers

We demonstrate that Neganov-Luke amplified cryogenic light detectors with Transition Edge Sensor read-out can be applied for the background suppression in cryogenic experiments searching for the neutrinoless double beta decay of $^{130}\text{Te}$ with TeO$_{2}$ based bolometers. Electron and gamma induced events can be discriminated from $α$ events by detecting the Cherenkov light produced by the $β$ particles emitted in the decay. We use the Cherenkov light produced by events in the full energy peak of $^{208}\text{Tl}$ and by events from a $^{147}\text{Sm}$ source to show that at the Q-value of the neutrinoless double beta decay of $^{130}\text{Te}$ ($Q_{ββ} = 2.53 \,\text{MeV}$), a separation of $e^{-}/γ$ events from $α$ events can be achieved on an event-by-event basis with practically no reduction in signal acceptance.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2014

Radiopurity of CaWO$_4$ Crystals for Direct Dark Matter Search with CRESST and EURECA

The direct dark matter search experiment CRESST uses scintillating CaWO$_4$ single crystals as targets for possible WIMP scatterings. An intrinsic radioactive contamination of the crystals as low as possible is crucial for the sensitivity of the detectors. In the past CaWO$_4$ crystals operated in CRESST were produced by institutes in Russia and the Ukraine. Since 2011 CaWO$_4$ crystals have also been grown at the crystal laboratory of the Technische Universität München (TUM) to better meet the requirements of CRESST and of the future tonne-scale multi-material experiment EURECA. The radiopurity of the raw materials and of first TUM-grown crystals was measured by ultra-low background $γ$-spectrometry. Two TUM-grown crystals were also operated as low-temperature detectors at a test setup in the Gran Sasso underground laboratory. These measurements were used to determine the crystals' intrinsic $α$-activities which were compared to those of crystals produced at other institutes. The total $α$-activities of TUM-grown crystals as low as 1.23 $\pm$ 0.06 mBq/kg were found to be significantly smaller than the activities of crystals grown at other institutes typically ranging between ~15 mBq/kg and ~35 mBq/kg.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2012

Low-Temperature Light Detectors: Neganov-Luke Amplification and Calibration

The simultaneous measurement of phonons and scintillation light induced by incident particles in a scintillating crystal such as CaWO4 is a powerful technique for the active rejection of background induced by gamma's and beta's and even neutrons in direct Dark Matter searches. However, less than ~1% of the energy deposited in a CaWO4 crystal is detected as light. Thus, very sensitive light detectors are needed for an efficient event-by-event background discrimination. Due to the Neganov-Luke effect, the threshold of low-temperature light detectors based on semiconducting substrates can be improved significantly by drifting the photon-induced electron-hole pairs in an applied electric field. We present measurements with low-temperature light detectors based on this amplification mechanism. The Neganov-Luke effect makes it possible to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of our light detectors by a factor of ~9 corresponding to an energy threshold of ~21 eV. We also describe a method for an absolute energy calibration using a light-emitting diode.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2012

Influence of Annealing on the Optical and Scintillation Properties of CaWO$_4$ Single Crystals

We investigate the influence of oxygen annealing on the room temperature optical and scintillation properties of CaWO$_4$ single crystals that are being produced for direct Dark Matter search experiments. The applied annealing procedure reduces the absorption coefficient at the peak position of the scintillation spectrum ($\sim430$ nm) by a factor of $\sim6$ and leads to an even larger reduction of the scattering coefficient. Furthermore, the annealing has no significant influence on the \emph{intrinsic} light yield. An additional absorption occurring at $\sim400$ nm suggests the formation of O$^-$ hole centers. Light-yield measurements at room temperature where one crystal surface was mechanically roughened showed an increase of the \emph{measured} light yield by $\sim40 %$ and an improvement of the energy resolution at 59.5 keV by $\sim12 %$ for the annealed crystal. We ascribe this result to the reduction of the absorption coefficient while the surface roughening is needed to compensate for the also observed reduction of the scattering coefficient after annealing.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2012

The CRESST II Dark Matter Search

Direct Dark Matter detection with cryodetectors is briefly discussed, with particular mention of the possibility of the identification of the recoil nucleus. Preliminary results from the CREEST II Dark Matter search, with 730 kg-days of data, are presented. Major backgrounds and methods of identifying and dealing with them are indicated.

astro-ph.CO↗