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Y. H. Kim

Publications and source records attributed to Y. H. Kim.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

A lab scale experiment for keV sterile neutrino search

We developed a simple small-scale experiment to measure the beta decay spectrum of $^{3}$H. The aim of this research is to investigate the presence of sterile neutrinos in the keV region. Tritium nuclei were embedded in a 1$\times$1$\times$1 cm$^3$ LiF crystal from the $^6$Li(n,$α$)$^3$H reaction. The energy of the beta electrons absorbed in the LiF crystal was measured with a magnetic microcalorimeter at 40 mK. We report a new method of sample preparation, experiments, and analysis of $^3$H beta measurements. The spectrum of a 10-hour measurement agrees well with the expected spectrum of $^3$H beta decay. The analysis results indicate that this method can be used to search for keV-scale sterile neutrinos.

physics.ins-det↗

Background modeling for dark matter search with 1.7 years of COSINE-100 data

We present a background model for dark matter searches using an array of NaI(Tl) crystals in the COSINE-100 experiment that is located in the Yangyang underground laboratory. The model includes background contributions from both internal and external sources, including cosmogenic radionuclides and surface $^{210}$Pb contamination. To build the model in the low energy region, with a threshold of 1 keV, we used a depth profile of $^{210}$Pb contamination in the surface of the NaI(Tl) crystals determined in a comparison between measured and simulated spectra. We also considered the effect of the energy scale errors propagated from the statistical uncertainties and the nonlinear detector response at low energies. The 1.7 years COSINE-100 data taken between October 21, 2016 and July 18, 2018 were used for this analysis. Our Monte Carlo simulation provides a non-Gaussian peak around 50 keV originating from beta decays of bulk $^{210}$Pb in a good agreement with the measured background. This model estimates that the activities of bulk $^{210}$Pb and $^{3}$H are dominating the background rate that amounts to an average level of 2.85$\pm$0.15 counts/day/keV/kg in the energy region of (1-6) keV, using COSINE-100 data with a total exposure of 97.7 kg$\cdot$years.

astro-ph.IM↗

An induced annual modulation signature in COSINE-100 data by DAMA/LIBRA's analysis method

The DAMA/LIBRA collaboration has reported the observation of an annual modulation in the event rate that has been attributed to dark matter interactions over the last two decades. However, even though tremendous efforts to detect similar dark matter interactions were pursued, no definitive evidence has been observed to corroborate the DAMA/LIBRA signal. Many studies assuming various dark matter models have attempted to reconcile DAMA/LIBRA's modulation signals and null results from other experiments, however no clear conclusion can be drawn. Apart from the dark matter hypothesis, several studies have examined the possibility that the modulation is induced by variations in their detector's environment or their specific analysis methods. In particular, a recent study presents a possible cause of the annual modulation from an analysis method adopted by the DAMA/LIBRA experiment in which the observed annual modulation could be reproduced by a slowly varying time-dependent background. Here, we study the COSINE-100 data using an analysis method similar to the one adopted by the DAMA/LIBRA experiment and observe a significant annual modulation, although the modulation phase is almost opposite to that of the DAMA/LIBRA data. Assuming the same background composition for COSINE-100 and DAMA/LIBRA, simulated experiments for the DAMA/LIBRA without dark matter signals also provide significant annual modulation with an amplitude similar to DAMA/LIBRA with opposite phase. Even though this observation does not explain the DAMA/LIBRA's results directly, this interesting phenomenon motivates deeper studies of the time-dependent DAMA/LIBRA background data.

hep-ex↗

Search for neutrinoless quadruple beta decay of $^{136}$Xe in XMASS-I

A search for the neutrinoless quadruple beta decay of $^{136}$Xe was conducted with the liquid-xenon detector XMASS-I using $\rm 327\; kg \times 800.0 \; days$ of the exposure. The pulse shape discrimination based on the scintillation decay time constant which distinguishes $γ$-rays including the signal and $β$-rays was used to enhance the search sensitivity. No significant signal excess was observed from the energy spectrum fitting with precise background evaluation, and we set a lower limit of the half life of 3.7 $\times$ 10$^{24}$ years at 90$\%$ confidence level. This is the first experimental constraint of the neutrinoless quadruple beta decay of $^{136}$Xe.

nucl-ex↗

Searching for low-mass dark matter via Migdal effect in COSINE-100

We report on the search for weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP) dark matter candidates in the galactic halo that interact with sodium and iodine nuclei in the COSINE-100 experiment and produce energetic electrons that accompany recoil nuclei via the the Migdal effect. The WIMP mass sensitivity of previous COSINE-100 searches that relied on the detection of ionization signals produced by target nuclei recoiling from elastic WIMP-nucleus scattering was restricted to WIMP masses above $\sim$5 GeV/$c^2$ by the detectors' 1 keVee energy-electron-equivalent threshold. The search reported here looks for recoil signals enhanced by the Migdal electrons that are ejected during the scattering process. This is particularly effective for the detection of low-mass WIMP scattering from the crystals' sodium nuclei in which a relatively larger fraction of the WIMP's energy is transferred to the nucleus recoil energy and the excitation of its orbital electrons. In this analysis, the low-mass WIMP search window of the COSINE-100 experiment is extended to WIMP mass down to 200 MeV/$c^2$. The low-mass WIMP sensitivity will be further improved by lowering the analysis threshold based on a multivariable analysis technique. We consider the influence of these improvements and recent developments in detector performance to re-evaluate sensitivities for the future COSINE-200 experiment. With a 0.2 keVee analysis threshold and high light-yield NaI(Tl) detectors (22 photoelectrons/keVee), the COSINE-200 experiment can explore low-mass WIMPs down to 20 MeV/$c^2$ and probe previously unexplored regions of parameter space.

hep-ex↗

The environmental monitoring system at the COSINE-100 experiment

The COSINE-100 experiment is designed to test the DAMA experiment which claimed an observation of a dark matter signal from an annual modulation in their residual event rate. To measure the 1 %-level signal amplitude, it is crucial to control and monitor nearly all environmental quantities that might systematically mimic the signal. The environmental monitoring also helps ensure a stable operation of the experiment. Here, we describe the design and performance of the centralized environmental monitoring system for the COSINE-100 experiment.

physics.ins-det↗

First Direct Measurement of an Astrophysical p-Process Reaction Cross Section Using a Radioactive Ion Beam

We have performed the first direct measurement of the 83Rb(p,g) radiative capture reaction cross section in inverse kinematics using a radioactive beam of 83Rb at incident energies of 2.4 and 2.7 A MeV. The measured cross section at an effective relative kinetic energy of Ecm = 2.393 MeV, which lies within the relevant energy window for core collapse supernovae, is smaller than the prediction of statistical model calculations. This leads to the abundance of 84Sr produced in the astrophysical p process being higher than previously calculated. Moreover, the discrepancy of the present data with theoretical predictions indicates that further experimental investigation of p-process reactions involving unstable projectiles is clearly warranted.

nucl-ex↗

Strong constraints from COSINE-100 on the DAMA dark matter results using the same sodium iodide target

We present new constraints on dark matter interactions using 1.7 years of COSINE-100 data. The COSINE-100 experiment, consisting of 106 kg of tallium-doped sodium iodide (NaI(Tl)) target material, is aimed at testing DAMA's claim of dark matter observation using the same NaI(Tl) detectors. Improved event selection requirements, a more precise understanding of the detector background and the use of a larger data set considerably enhances the COSINE-100 sensitivity for dark matter detection. No signal consistent with the dark matter interaction is identified, and rules out model-dependent dark matter interpretations of the DAMA signals in the specific context of standard halo model with the same NaI(Tl) target for various interaction hypotheses.

hep-ex↗

Identification of new isomers in $^{228}$Ac : Impact on dark matter searches

We report the identification of metastable isomeric states of $^{228}$Ac at 6.28 keV, 6.67 keV and 20.19 keV, with lifetimes of an order of 100 ns. These states are produced by the $β$-decay of $^{228}$Ra, a component of the $^{232}$Th decay chain, with $β$ Q-values of 39.52 keV, 39.13 keV and 25.61 keV, respectively. Due to its low Q-value as well as the relative abundance of $^{232}$Th and their progeny in low background experiments, these observations potentially impact the low-energy background modeling of dark matter search experiments.

hep-ex↗

The COSINE-100 Liquid Scintillator Veto System

This paper describes the liquid scintillator veto system for the COSINE-100 dark matter experiment and its performance. The COSINE-100 detector consists of eight NaI(Tl) crystals immersed in 2200~L of linear alkylbenzene-based liquid scintillator. The liquid scintillator tags between 65 and 75\% of the internal $^{40}$K background in the 2--6 keV energy region. We also describe the background model for the liquid scintillator, which is primarily used to assess its energy calibration and threshold.

physics.ins-det↗

Stopping power of fission fragments in thin Mylar and nickel foils

The energy loss of heavy ions in thin Mylar and nickel foils was measured accurately using fission fragments from $^{239}Pu(n_{th},f)$, mass and energy separated by the Lohengrin separator at ILL. The detection setup, placed at the focal plane of the Lohengrin separator enabled to measure precisely the kinetic energy difference of selected fragments after passing through the sample. From these data, the stopping powers in Mylar and nickel layers were extracted and compared to calculations. Whereas large deviations are observed with SRIM-2013 for Mylar, fairly good agreements are obtained with the semi-empirical approach of Knyazheva et al. and the calculations contained within the DPASS database. In nickel, SRIM-2013 and Knyazheva model are in agreement with our data within about 10 %, while large deviations are observed with DPASS. We used our data to provide updated parameters for the Knyazheva et al. model and rescale DPASS database for nickel and Mylar.

nucl-ex↗

Lowering the energy threshold in COSINE-100 dark matter searches

COSINE-100 is a dark matter detection experiment that uses NaI(Tl) crystal detectors operating at the Yangyang underground laboratory in Korea since September 2016. Its main goal is to test the annual modulation observed by the DAMA/LIBRA experiment with the same target medium. Recently DAMA/LIBRA has released data with an energy threshold lowered to 1 keV, and the persistent annual modulation behavior is still observed at 9.5$σ$. By lowering the energy threshold for electron recoils to 1 keV, COSINE-100 annual modulation results can be compared to those of DAMA/LIBRA in a model-independent way. Additionally, the event selection methods provide an access to a few to sub-GeV dark matter particles using constant rate studies. In this article, we discuss the COSINE-100 event selection algorithm, its validation, and efficiencies near the threshold.

physics.ins-det↗

Search for event bursts in XMASS-I associated with gravitational-wave events

We performed a search for event bursts in the XMASS-I detector associated with 11 gravitational-wave events detected during LIGO/Virgo's O1 and O2 periods. Simple and loose cuts were applied to the data collected in the full 832 kg xenon volume around the detection time of each gravitational-wave event. The data were divided into four energy regions ranging from keV to MeV. Without assuming any particular burst models, we looked for event bursts in sliding windows with various time width from 0.02 to 10 s. The search was conducted in a time window between $-$400 and $+$10,000 s from each gravitational-wave event. For the binary neutron star merger GW170817, no significant event burst was observed in the XMASS-I detector and we set 90% confidence level upper limits on neutrino fluence for the sum of all the neutrino flavors via coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering. The obtained upper limit was (1.3-2.1)$\times 10^{11}$ cm$^{-2}$ under the assumption of a Fermi-Dirac spectrum with average neutrino energy of 20 MeV. The neutrino fluence limits for mono-energetic neutrinos in the energy range between 14 and 100 MeV were also calculated. Among the other 10 gravitational wave events detected as the binary black hole mergers, a burst candidate with a 3.0$σ$ significance was found at 1801.95-1803.95 s in the analysis for GW151012. However, no significant deviation from the background in the reconstructed energy and position distributions was found. Considering the additional look-elsewhere effect of analyzing the 11 GW events, the significance of finding such a burst candidate associated with any of them is 2.1$σ$.

astro-ph.HE↗

Development of low-background photomultiplier tubes for liquid xenon detectors

We successfully developed a new photomultiplier tube (PMT) with a three-inch diameter, convex-shaped photocathode, R13111. Its prominent features include good performance and ultra-low radioactivity. The convex-shaped photocathode realized a large photon acceptance and good timing resolution. Low radioactivity was achieved by three factors: (1) the glass material was synthesized using low-radioactive-contamination material; (2) the photocathode was produced with $^{39}$K-enriched potassium; and (3) the purest grade of aluminum material was used for the vacuum seal. As a result each R13111 PMT contains only about 0.4 mBq of $^{226}$Ra, less than 2 mBq of $^{238}$U, 0.3 mBq of $^{228}$Ra, 2 mBq of $^{40}$K and 0.2 mBq of $^{60}$Co. We also examined and resolved the intrinsic leakage of Xe gas into PMTs that was observed in several older models. We thus succeeded in developing a PMT that has low background, large angular acceptance with high collection efficiency, good timing resolution, and long-term stable operation. These features are highly desirable for experiments searching for rare events beyond the standard model, such as dark matter particle interactions and neutrinoless double beta decay events.

physics.ins-det↗

Search for exotic neutrino-electron interactions using solar neutrinos in XMASS-I

We have searched for exotic neutrino-electron interactions that could be produced by a neutrino millicharge, by a neutrino magnetic moment, or by dark photons using solar neutrinos in the XMASS-I liquid xenon detector. We observed no significant signals in 711 days of data. We obtain an upper limit for neutrino millicharge of 5.4$\times$10$^{-12} e$ at 90\% confidence level assuming all three species of neutrino have common millicharge. We also set flavor dependent limits assuming the respective neutrino flavor is the only one carrying a millicharge, $7.3 \times 10^{-12} e$ for $ν_e$, $1.1 \times 10^{-11} e$ for $ν_μ$, and $1.1 \times 10^{-11} e$ for $ν_τ$. These limits are the most stringent yet obtained from direct measurements. We also obtain an upper limit for the neutrino magnetic moment of 1.8$\times$10$^{-10}$ Bohr magnetons. In addition, we obtain upper limits for the coupling constant of dark photons in the $U(1)_{B-L}$ model of 1.3$\times$10$^{-6}$ if the dark photon mass is 1$\times 10^{-3}$ MeV$/c^{2}$, and 8.8$\times$10$^{-5}$ if it is 10 MeV$/c^{2}$.

hep-ex↗

Shape Coexistence at Zero Spin in 64Ni Driven by the Monopole Tensor Interaction

The low-spin structure of the semimagic 64Ni nucleus has been considerably expanded: combining four experiments, several 0+ and 2+ excited states were identified below 4.5 MeV, and their properties established. The Monte Carlo shell model accounts for the results and unveils an unexpectedly complex landscape of coexisting shapes: a prolate 0+ excitation is located at a surprisingly high energy (3463 keV), with a collective 2+ state 286 keV above it, the first such observation in Ni isotopes. The evolution in excitation energy of the prolate minimum across the neutron N = 40 subshell gap highlights the impact of the monopole interaction and its variation in strength with N.

nucl-ex↗

Prompt-delayed $γ$-ray spectroscopy of neutron-rich $^{119,121}$In isotopes

The fusion and transfer induced fission reaction $^{9}$Be($^{238}$U,~f) with 6.2 MeV/u beam energy, using a unique setup consisting of AGATA, VAMOS++ and EXOGAM detectors, was used to populate through the fission process and study the neutron-rich $^{119,121}$In isotopes. This setup enabled the prompt-delayed $γ$-ray spectroscopy of isotopes in the time range of $100~\rm{ns} - 200~μ\rm{s}$. In the odd-$A$ $^{119,121}$In isotopes, indications of a short half-life $19/2^{-}$ isomeric state, in addition to the previously known $25/2^{+}$ isomeric state, were observed from the present data. Further, new prompt transitions above the $25/2^{+}$ isomer in $^{121}$In were identified along with reevaluation of its half-life. The experimental data were compared with the theoretical results obtained in the framework of large-scale shell-model calculations in a restricted model space. The $\langle πg_{9/2} νh_{11/2};I \arrowvert \hat{\mathcal{H}}\arrowvert πg_{9/2} νh_{11/2};I\rangle$ two-body matrix elements of residual interaction were modified to explain the excitation energies and the $B(E2)$ transition probabilities in the neutron-rich In isotopes. The (i) decreasing trend of $E(29/2^{+}) - E(25/2^{+})$ in odd-In (with dominant configuration $πg_{9/2}^{-1}νh_{11/2}^{-2}$ and maximum aligned spin of $29/2^{+}$) and (ii) increasing trend of $E(27/2^{+}) - E(23/2^{+})$ in odd-Sb (with dominant configuration $πg_{7/2}^{+1}νh_{11/2}^{-2}$ and maximum aligned spin of $27/2^{+}$) with increasing neutron number could be understood as a consequence of hole-hole and particle-hole interactions, respectively.

nucl-ex↗

Measurement of the cosmic muon annual and diurnal flux variation with the COSINE-100 detector

We report measurements of annual and diurnal modulations of the cosmic-ray muon rate in the Yangyang underground laboratory (Y2L) using 952 days of COSINE-100 data acquired between September 2016 and July 2019. A correlation of the muon rate with the atmospheric temperature is observed and its amplitude on the muon rate is determined. The effective atmospheric temperature and muon rate variations are positively correlated with a measured effective temperature coefficient of $α_{T}$ = 0.80 $\pm$ 0.11. This result is consistent with a model of meson production in the atmosphere. We also searched for a diurnal modulation in the underground muon rate by comparing one-hour intervals. No significant diurnal modulation of the muon rate was observed.

physics.ins-det↗