arXiv subjects

Philip C. Bunting

Publications and source records attributed to Philip C. Bunting.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Particle Detection Using Magnetic Avalanches in Single-Molecule Magnet Crystals

The detection of a single quantum of energy with high efficiency and a low false positive rate is of considerable scientific interest, from serving as single quantum sensors of optical and infra-red photons to enabling the direct detection of low-mass dark matter. We confirm our initial experimental demonstration of magnetic avalanches induced by scattering of quanta in single-molecule magnet (SMM) crystals made of Mn$_{12}$-acetate, establishing the use of SMMs as particle detectors for the first time. Although the current setup has an energy threshold in the MeV regime, our results motivate the exploration of a wide variety of SMMs whose properties could allow for detection of sub-eV energy depositions.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2020

Quantum Detection using Magnetic Avalanches in Single-Molecule Magnets

The detection of a single quantum of energy with high efficiency and low false positive rate is of considerable scientific interest, from serving as single quantum sensors of optical and infra-red photons to enabling the direct detection of low-mass dark matter. We report the first experimental demonstration of magnetic avalanches induced by scattering of quanta in single-molecule magnet (SMM) crystals made of Mn12-acetate, establishing the use of SMMs as particle detectors for the first time. While the current setup has an energy threshold in the MeV regime, our results motivate the exploration of a wide variety of SMMs whose properties could allow for detection of sub-eV energy depositions.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2017

Magnetic Bubble Chambers and Sub-GeV Dark Matter Direct Detection

We propose a new application of single molecule magnet crystals: their use as "magnetic bubble chambers" for the direct detection of sub-GeV dark matter. The spins in these macroscopic crystals effectively act as independent nano-scale magnets. When anti-aligned with an external magnetic field they form meta-stable states with a relaxation time that can be very long at sufficiently low temperatures. The Zeeman energy stored in this system can be released through localized heating, caused for example by the scattering or absorption of dark matter, resulting in a spin avalanche (or "magnetic deflagration") that amplifies the effects of the initial heat deposit, enabling detection. Much like the temperature and pressure in a conventional bubble chamber, the temperature and external magnetic field set the detection threshold for a single molecule magnet crystal. We discuss this detector concept for dark matter detection and propose ways to ameliorate backgrounds. If successfully developed, this detector concept can search for hidden photon dark matter in the meV - eV mass range with sensitivities exceeding current bounds by several orders of magnitude.

hep-ph↗