169 research outputs found
The -cleus experiment: A gram-scale fiducial-volume cryogenic detector for the first detection of coherent neutrino-nucleus scattering
We discuss a small-scale experiment, called -cleus, for the first
detection of coherent neutrino-nucleus scattering by probing nuclear-recoil
energies down to the 10 eV-regime. The detector consists of low-threshold
CaWO and AlO calorimeter arrays with a total mass of about 10 g and
several cryogenic veto detectors operated at millikelvin temperatures.
Realizing a fiducial volume and a multi-element target, the detector enables
active discrimination of , neutron and surface backgrounds. A first
prototype AlO device, operated above ground in a setup without
shielding, has achieved an energy threshold of eV and further
improvements are in reach. A sensitivity study for the detection of coherent
neutrino scattering at nuclear power plants shows a unique discovery potential
(5) within a measuring time of weeks. Furthermore, a site
at a thermal research reactor and the use of a radioactive neutrino source are
investigated. With this technology, real-time monitoring of nuclear power
plants is feasible.Comment: 14 pages, 19 figure
Detection of the Natural Alpha Decay of Tungsten
The natural alpha decay of 180W has been unambiguously detected for the first
time. The alpha peak is found in a (gamma,beta and neutron)-free background
spectrum. This has been achieved by the simultaneous measurement of phonon and
light signals with the CRESST cryogenic detectors. A half-life of T1/2 = (1.8
+- 0.2) x 10^18 y and an energy release of Q = (2516.4 +- 1.1 (stat.) +- 1.2
(sys.)) keV have been measured. New limits are also set on the half-lives of
the other naturally occurring tungsten isotopes.Comment: Submitted to Physical Review C Revised versio
The CRESST Dark Matter Search
The current status of CRESST (Cryogenic Rare Event Search using
Superconducting Thermometers) and new results concerning the detector
development are presented. The basic technique of CRESST is to search for
particle Dark Matter (WIMPS, Weakly Interacting Massive particles) by the
measurement of non-thermal phonons as created by WIMP-induced nuclear recoils.
Combined with the newly developed method of simultaneous measurement of
scintillation light, strong background discrimination is possible, resulting in
a substantial increase in WIMP detection sensitivity. The short and long term
perspectives of CRESST are discussed.Comment: 12 pages, 6 figure
Particle Discrimination in TeO Bolometers using Light Detectors read out by Transition Edge Sensors
An active discrimination of the dominant -background is the
prerequisite for future neutrinoless double-beta decay experiments based on
TeO bolometers. We investigate such -particle rejection in
cryogenic TeO bolometers by the detection of Cherenkov light. For a setup
consisting of a massive TeO crystal (285 g) and a separate cryogenic
light detector, both using transition edge sensors as temperature sensors
operated at around 10 mK, we obtain an event-by-event identification of
e/- and -events. We find in the energy interval ranging from
2400 keV to 2800 keV and covering the Q-value of the neutrinoless double-beta
decay of Te a separation of the means of the two populations of 3.7
times their width.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figure
- …