43 research outputs found

    Measurement of Coherent Elastic Neutrino-Nucleus Scattering from reactor antineutrinos

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    The 96.4 day exposure of a 3 kg ultra-low noise germanium detector to the high flux of antineutrinos from a power nuclear reactor is described. A very strong preference (p<1.2×103p<1.2\times10^{-3}) for the presence of a coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CEν\nuNS) component in the data is found, when compared to a background-only model. No such effect is visible in 25 days of operation during reactor outages. The best-fit CEν\nuNS signal is in good agreement with expectations based on a recent characterization of germanium response to sub-keV nuclear recoils. Deviations of order 60\% from the Standard Model CEν\nuNS prediction can be excluded using present data. Standing uncertainties in models of germanium quenching factor, neutrino energy spectrum, and background are examined.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures. Data release and additional information in ancillary file

    Experimental constraints on a dark matter origin for the DAMA annual modulation effect

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    A claim for evidence of dark matter interactions in the DAMA experiment has been recently reinforced. We employ a new type of germanium detector to conclusively rule out a standard isothermal galactic halo of Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs) as the explanation for the annual modulation effect leading to the claim. Bounds are similarly imposed on a suggestion that dark pseudoscalars mightlead to the effect. We describe the sensitivity to light dark matter particles achievable with our device, in particular to Next-to-Minimal Supersymmetric Model candidates.Comment: v4: introduces recent results from arXiv:0807.3279 and arXiv:0807.2926. Sensitivity to pseudoscalars is revised in light of the first. Discussion on the subject adde

    Results from a Search for Light-Mass Dark Matter with a P-type Point Contact Germanium Detector

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    We report on several features present in the energy spectrum from an ultra low-noise germanium detector operated at 2,100 m.w.e. By implementing a new technique able to reject surface events, a number of cosmogenic peaks can be observed for the first time. We discuss several possible causes for an irreducible excess of bulk-like events below 3 keVee, including a dark matter candidate common to the DAMA/LIBRA annual modulation effect, the hint of a signal in CDMS, and phenomenological predictions. Improved constraints are placed on a cosmological origin for the DAMA/LIBRA effect.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures. v2: submitted version. Minimal changes in wording, one reference adde

    Search for an Annual Modulation in a P-type Point Contact Germanium Dark Matter Detector

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    Fifteen months of cumulative CoGeNT data are examined for indications of an annual modulation, a predicted signature of Weakly Interacting Massive Particle (WIMP) interactions. Presently available data support the presence of a modulated component of unknown origin, with parameters prima facie compatible with a galactic halo composed of light-mass WIMPs. Unoptimized estimators yield a statistical significance for a modulation of ~2.8 sigma, limited by the short exposure.Comment: Published version, slightly expanded discussion of ROI uncertainties, one reference adde
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