arXiv subjects

Qian Yue

Publications and source records attributed to Qian Yue.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Projection of purification performance for the RELICS experiment

The RELICS (REactor neutrino LIquid xenon Coherent elastic Scattering) experiment employs a dual-phase liquid xenon time projection chamber to search for Coherent Elastic Neutrino-Nucleus Scattering (CE$\nu$NS) induced by reactor neutrinos. To detect these sub-keV nuclear recoils and minimize signal attenuation, it is critical to maintain a sufficiently low impurity concentration in the detector. This work presents a comprehensive purity evolution model developed to describe impurity migration inside the detector. Utilizing measured material outgassing rates as input parameters, the model incorporates non-uniform transport mechanisms of the impurities, including circulation, vaporization, and condensation. The model is validated using data from a dedicated prototype detector. Based on this validated model, projections for the purification performance of the upcoming RELICS-10 and RELICS-50 detectors are provided.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2026

Design and characterization of a photosensor system for the RELICS experiment

In this paper, we present the design and characterization of a photosensor system developed for the RELICS experiment. An extended dynamic range base was designed to mitigate photomultiplier tube (PMT) saturation caused by intense cosmic muon backgrounds in the surface-level RELICS detector. The system employs dual readout from the anode and the seventh dynode to extend the linear response range of the PMT. In particular, our characterization and measurements of Hamamatsu R8520-406 PMTs confirm stable operation under positive high-voltage bias, extending the linear response range by more than an order of magnitude. Furthermore, a model of PMT saturation and recovery was developed to evaluate the influence of cosmic muon signals in the RELICS detector. The results demonstrate the system capability to detect coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering signals under surface-level cosmic backgrounds, and suggest the potential to extend the scientific reach of RELICS to MeV-scale interactions.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2025

Development of a dual-phase xenon time projection chamber prototype for the RELICS experiment

The RELICS (REactor neutrino LIquid xenon Coherent elastic Scattering) experiment aims to detect coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering from reactor antineutrinos using a dual-phase xenon time projection chamber. To validate the detector concept and ensure technical reliability for the full-scale experiment, a dedicated prototype was designed, constructed, and operated. This work presents an overview of the design, construction, and operational performance of the prototype, with emphasis on its major subsystems, including the TPC, cryogenic and xenon purification systems, slow control, and data acquisition. During operation, the detector demonstrated the capability to achieve a sub-keV energy threshold required for the RELICS physics program, as reflected by a measured single electron gain of 34.30~$\pm$~0.01~(stat.)~PE/e$^-$ and the successful detection of 0.27~keV L-shell decay events from $^{37}$Ar. In addition, essential data analysis techniques and simulation frameworks were developed and validated, establishing the methodological foundation for future RELICS operations. The successful construction and operation of this prototype confirm the feasibility of the core technologies and provide a crucial experimental basis for the final RELICS detector.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2025

Molecular Dynamics Simulations on Nuclear Recoils in Silicon Crystals towards Single Electron-Hole Pair Ionization Yields

We have developed a novel methodology utilizing molecular dynamics simulations to evaluate the ionization yields of nuclear recoils in crystalline silicon. This approach enables analytical exploration of atomic-scale transport within the lattice without necessitating parameterization. The quenching factors across the nuclear recoil energy range from 20 eV to 10 keV have been thoroughly investigated. A remarkable agreement with experimental data is achieved, particularly for the minimal energy regime conducted to date, reaching the level of a single electron-hole pair. This work presents evidence of a crucial and fundamental distribution of the quenching factor, which can be associated to the collisional interactions underlying the transport phenomena. The region below 4 keV of the quenching factor, where discrepancies have been observed with the Lindhard's model, is found to be significantly attributed to the lattice binding effect and the specific crystal structure. In contrast, a gradual functional relationship is identified below approximately 100 eV, indicating that the quenching factor is influenced by the crystallographic orientation of the target material. From a distributional perspective, our analysis allows for the determination of the minimum exclusion mass for the dark matter nucleon elastic scattering channel at 0.29 $\mathrm{GeV}/c^2$, thereby significantly enhancing sensitivity for the sub-$\mathrm{GeV}/c^2$ mass region.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2025

Germanium Atomic Compton Scattering Measurements and ${ab}$ ${initio}$ Many-Body Calculations: Implications for Electronic recoil Dark Matter Detection

Diverse searches for direct dark matter (DM) in effective electromagnetic and leptophilic interactions resulting from new physics, as well as Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs) with unconventional electronic recoils, are intensively pursued. Low-energy backgrounds from radioactive $γ$ rays via Compton scattering and photon coherent scattering are unavoidable in terrestrial detectors. The interpretation of dark matter experimental data is dependent on a better knowledge of the background in the low-energy region. We provide a 2.3% measurement of atomic Compton scattering in the low momentum transfer range of 180 eV/c to 25 keV/c, using a 10-g germanium detector bombarded by a $^{137}\mathrm{Cs}$ source with a 7.2 m-Curie radioactivity and the scatter photon collected by a cylindrical NaI[Tl] detector. The ability to detect Compton scattering's doubly differential cross section (DDCS) gives a special test for clearly identifying the kinematic restraints in atomic many-body systems, notably the Livermore model. Additionally, a low-energy-background comparison is made between coherent photon scattering and Compton scattering replacing the scattering function of ${GEANT4}$@software, which uses a completely relativistic impulse approximation (RIA) together with Multi-Configuration Dirac-Fock (MCDF) wavefunctions. For the purpose of investigating sub-GeV mass and electronic-recoil dark matter theories, signatures including low energy backgrounds via high energy $γ$ rays in germanium targets are discussed.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2024

Constraining Dark Matter Models with a Light Mediator from CDEX-10 Experiment at China Jinping Underground Laboratory

We search for nuclear recoil signals of dark matter models with a light mediator using data taken from a p-type point-contact germanium detector of the CDEX-10 experiment at the China Jinping Underground Laboratory. The 90% confidence level upper limits on the DM-nucleon interaction cross section from 205.4 kg-day exposure data are derived, excluding new parameter space in 2~5 GeV DM mass when the mediator mass is comparable to or lighter than the typical momentum transfer. We further interpret our results to constrain a specific self-interacting dark matter model with a light mediator coupling to the photon through kinetic mixing, and set experimental limits on the model parameter region favored by astrophysical observations.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2024

Reactor neutrino liquid xenon coherent elastic scattering experiment

Coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CEvNS) provides a unique probe for neutrino properties Beyond the Standard Model (BSM) physics. REactor neutrino LIquid xenon Coherent Scattering experiment (RELICS), a proposed reactor neutrino program using liquid xenon time projection chamber (LXeTPC) technology, aims to investigate the CEvNS process of antineutrinos off xenon atomic nuclei. In this work, the design of the experiment is studied and optimized based on Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. To achieve a sufficiently low energy threshold for CEvNS detection, an ionization-only analysis channel is adopted for RELICS. A high emission rate of delayed electrons after a big ionization signal is the major background, leading to an analysis threshold of 120 photo-electrons in the CEvNS search. The second largest background, nuclear recoils induced by cosmic-ray neutrons, is suppressed via a passive water shield. The physics potential of RELICS is explored with a 32 kg*yr exposure at a baseline of 25 m from a reactor core with a 3 GW thermal power. In an energy range of 120 to 300 PE, corresponding to an average nuclear recoil from 0.63 to 1.36 keV considering the liquid xenon response and detector-related effect, we expect 4639.7 CEvNS and 1687.8 background events. The sensitivity of RELICS to the weak mixing angle is investigated at a low momentum transfer. Our study shows that RELICS can further improve the constraints on the non-standard neutrino interaction (NSI) compared to the current best results.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2024

Low Radon Concentration Measurement with a Radon-Dissolved Liquid Scintillator Pilot Detector

We construct a high sensitivity radon pilot detector using liquid scintillator dissolved radon for the CDEX rare-event searches program. The CDEX-10 project employs a germanium detector array immersed in a massive liquid nitrogen tank. However, radon emanated from the surface of the tank can contribute background. As a result, radon contamination in the liquid nitrogen tank must be regulated and monitored, which necessitates the use of a low-level Rn measuring device. The radon-dissolved liquid scintillator (LS) detectors utilizes cascade decay selections, yielding a unique signature. All background events occurring in the LS, with regard to the system and co-efficiency of Rn absorption, have been studied. Background activity is measured to be 59.8$\pm$18.4 $μ$Bq per 300 mL LS. Meanwhile, it shows that radon concentration absorbed by LS will be saturated and is linearly related to radon concentration in nitrogen gas. Furthermore, the co-efficiency factor can be optimized by lowering temperature or raising pressure. Eventually the detection limit for 222^Rn in nitrogen gas is observed to be 9.6 mBq/m^3.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2024

Study of cosmogenic activation in $^{76}$Ge enriched germanium detectors during fabrication and transportation above ground

Rare event search experiments using germanium detectors are operated in underground laboratories to minimize the background induced by cosmic rays. However, the cosmogenic activation in germanium crystals on the ground during fabrication and transportation generates long half-life radionuclides and contributes a considerable background. We simulated the production rates of cosmogenic radionuclides in germanium and calculated the specifi c activities of cosmogenic radionuclides according to the scheduled fabrication and transportation processes of $^{76}$Ge enriched germanium detectors. The impact of cosmogenic background in germanium crystals for the next generation CDEX experiment was assessed with the scheduled exposure history above ground.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2022

Spherically Symmetric Noncommutative Spacetime via Exotic Atomic Transitions

In discussing non-commutative spacetime, the generally studied $θ$-Poincare model is inconsistent with bound states. In this Letter, we develop the formalism and study the phenomenology of another model $\mathcal{B}_{χ\hat{n}}$ by the twisted permutation algebra and extend the Pauli Exclusion Principle(PEP) into non-commutative spacetime. The model also implies time quantization and can avoid UV/IR mixing. Applying it to atomic systems, we show that the model with newly induced phase factors can cause exotic transitions consisting of three electrons in the 1S orbit of atoms. The transition rate is derived, and the upper bound of non-commutative parameter $χ$ is thus set by utilizing data from the low-energy and low-background experiments, where strongest constraint $χ\leq4.05\times10^{-30}$ eV$^{-1}$ at 90\% C.L. is given by XENONnT, with the time quanta $Δt\sim 2.67\times 10^{-45} s$, equivalent to twenty times smaller than the Planck time.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2022

Identification of the anomalous fast bulk events in a p-type point contact germanium detector

The ultralow detection threshold, ultralow intrinsic background, and excellent energy resolution of p-type point-contact germanium detector are important for rare-event searches, in particular for the detection of direct dark matter interactions, coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering, and neutrinoless double beta decay. Anomalous bulk events with an extremely fast rise time are observed in the CDEX-1B detector. We report a method of extracting fast bulk events from bulk events using a pulse shape simulation and reconstructed source experiment signature. Calibration data and the distribution of X-rays generated by intrinsic radioactivity verified that the fast bulk experienced a single hit near the passivation layer. The performance of this germanium detector indicates that it is capable of single-hit bulk spatial resolution and thus provides a background removal technique.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2021

SAGE : A Monte Carlo Simulation Framework for Experiments with Germanium Detectors

A Geant4-based simulation framework for rare event searching experiments with germanium detectors named SAGE is presented with details. It is designed for simulating, assessing background distribution, and investigating the response of the germanium detectors. The SAGE framework incorporates its experiment-specific geometries and custom attributes, including the event generators, physics lists and output format, to satisfy various simulation objectives. Its docker image has been prepared for virtualizing and distributing the SAGE framework. Deployment of a Geant4-based simulation will be convenient under this docker image. The implemented geometries include p-type point contact and broad energy germanium detectors with environmental surroundings, and these hierarchical geometries can be easily extended. Users select these custom attributes via the JSON configuration files. The aforementioned attributes satisfy the simulation demands and make SAGE a generic and powerful simulation framework for the CDEX experiment.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2021

Study on cosmogenic activation in copper for rare event search experiments

The rare event search experiments using germanium detectors are performed in the underground laboratories to prevent cosmic rays. However, the cosmogenic activation of the cupreous detector components on the ground will generate long half-life radioisotopes and contribute continually to the expected background level. We present a study on the cosmogenic activation of copper after 504 days of exposure at an altitude of 2469.4 m outside the China Jinping Underground Laboratory (CJPL). The specific activities of the cosmogenic nuclides produced in the copper bricks were measured using a low background germanium gamma-ray spectrometer at CJPL. The production rates at sea level, in units of nuclei/kg/day, are 18.6 \pm 2.0 for Mn-54, 9.9 \pm 1.3 for Co-56, 48.3 \pm 5.5 for Co-57, 51.8 \pm 2.5 for Co-58 and 39.7 \pm 5.7 for Co-60, respectively. Given the expected exposure history of the germanium detectors, a Monte Carlo simulation is conducted to assess the cosmogenic background contributions of the detectors' cupreous components.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2019

Results of direct dark matter detection with CDEX experiment at CJPL

The China Dark Matter Experiment (CDEX), located at the China Jinping Underground Laboratory (CJPL) whose overburden is about 2400m rock, aims at direct searches of light Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs). A single-element 994-gram p-type point contact (PPC) germanium detector (CDEX-1B) runs inside a solid passive shielding system. To achieve lower background, a prototype 10kg PPC germanium detector array (CDEX-10), consisting of three detector strings with three germanium crystals each, is directly immersed in the liquid nitrogen. With the energy threshold of 160eV, the limits on WIMP-nucleus scattering are set by energy spectra and annual modulation analysis, respectively. Incorporating Migdal effect, the data of CDEX-1B are re-analyzed to search sub-GeV WIMPs. Finally, the future plan of CDEX experiment in CJPL-II is introduced.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2019

Cardiac Segmentation from LGE MRI Using Deep Neural Network Incorporating Shape and Spatial Priors

Cardiac segmentation from late gadolinium enhancement MRI is an important task in clinics to identify and evaluate the infarction of myocardium. The automatic segmentation is however still challenging, due to the heterogeneous intensity distributions and indistinct boundaries in the images. In this paper, we propose a new method, based on deep neural networks (DNN), for fully automatic segmentation. The proposed network, referred to as SRSCN, comprises a shape reconstruction neural network (SRNN) and a spatial constraint network (SCN). SRNN aims to maintain a realistic shape of the resulting segmentation. It can be pre-trained by a set of label images, and then be embedded into a unified loss function as a regularization term. Hence, no manually designed feature is needed. Furthermore, SCN incorporates the spatial information of the 2D slices. It is formulated and trained with the segmentation network via the multi-task learning strategy. We evaluated the proposed method using 45 patients and compared with two state-of-the-art regularization schemes, i.e., the anatomically constraint neural network and the adversarial neural network. The results show that the proposed SRSCN outperformed the conventional schemes, and obtained a Dice score of 0.758(std=0.227) for myocardial segmentation, which compares with 0.757(std=0.083) from the inter-observer variations.

eess.IV↗

arXiv2019

CDEX dark matter experiment: Status and prospects

The China Dark Matter Experiment (CDEX) aims at direct searches of light Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs) at the China Jinping Underground Laboratory (CJPL) with an overburden of about 2400m rock. Results from a prototype CDEX-1 994 g p-type Point Contact Germanium(pPCGe) detector are reported. Research programs are pursued to further reduce the physics threshold by improving hardware and data analysis. The CDEX-10 experiment with a pPCGe array of 10 kg target mass range is being tested. The evolution of CDEX program into "CDEX-1T Experiment" with ton-scale germanium detector arrays will also be introduced in this study.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2018

Response of gadolinium doped liquid scintillator to charged particles: measurement based on intrinsic U/Th contamination

A measurement is reported for the response to charged particles of a liquid scintillator named EJ-335 doped with 0.5% gadolinium by weight. This liquid scintillator was used as the detection medium in a neutron detector. The measurement is based on the in-situ $α$-particles from the intrinsic Uranium and Thorium contamination in the scintillator. The $β$-$α$ and the $α$-$α$ cascade decays from the U/Th decay chains were used to select $α$-particles. The contamination levels of U/Th were consequently measured to be $(5.54\pm0.15)\times 10^{-11}$ g/g, $(1.45\pm0.01)\times 10^{-10}$ g/g and $(1.07\pm0.01)\times 10^{-11}$ g/g for $^{232}$Th, $^{238}$U and $^{235}$U, respectively, assuming secular equilibrium. The stopping power of $α$-particles in the liquid scintillator was simulated by the TRIM software. Then the Birks constant, $kB$, of the scintillator for $α$-particles was determined to be $(7.28\pm0.23)$ mg/(cm$^{2}\cdot$MeV) by Birks' formulation. The response for protons is also presented assuming the $kB$ constant is the same as for $α$-particles.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2018

The China Jinping Underground Laboratory and its Early Science

The China Jinping Underground Laboratory, inaugurated in 2010, is an underground research facility with the deepest rock overburden and largest space by volume in the world. The first-generation science programs include dark matter searches conducted by the CDEX and PandaX experiments. These activities are complemented by measurements of ambient radioactivity and installation of low-background counting systems. Phase II of the facility is being constructed, and its potential research projects are being formulated. In this review, we discuss the history, key features, results, and status of this facility and its experimental programs, as well as their future evolution and plans.

hep-ex↗