Naturally occurring 32Si and low-background silicon dark matter detectors

Orrell, John L.; Arnquist, Isaac J.; Bliss, Mary; Bunker, Raymond; Finch, Zachary S.

doi:10.1016/j.astropartphys.2018.02.005

Title: Naturally occurring ³²Si and low-background silicon dark matter detectors

Journal Article · Sat Feb 10 00:00:00 EST 2018 · Astroparticle Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.astropartphys.2018.02.005· OSTI ID:1420890

Orrell, John L. ^[1]; Arnquist, Isaac J. ^[1];

^[1];

^[1]; Finch, Zachary S. ^[1]

Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)

Here, the naturally occurring radioisotope ³²Si represents a potentially limiting background in future dark matter direct-detection experiments. We investigate sources of ³²Si and the vectors by which it comes to reside in silicon crystals used for fabrication of radiation detectors. We infer that the ³²Si concentration in commercial single-crystal silicon is likely variable, dependent upon the specific geologic and hydrologic history of the source (or sources) of silicon “ore” and the details of the silicon-refinement process. The silicon production industry is large, highly segmented by refining step, and multifaceted in terms of final product type, from which we conclude that production of ³²Si-mitigated crystals requires both targeted silicon material selection and a dedicated refinement-through-crystal-production process. We review options for source material selection, including quartz from an underground source and silicon isotopically reduced in ³²Si. To quantitatively evaluate the ³²Si content in silicon metal and precursor materials, we propose analytic methods employing chemical processing and radiometric measurements. Ultimately, it appears feasible to produce silicon detectors with low levels of ³²Si, though significant assay method development is required to validate this claim and thereby enable a quality assurance program during an actual controlled silicon-detector production cycle.

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Research Organization:: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), High Energy Physics (HEP)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC05-76RL01830

OSTI ID:: 1420890

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1548746

Report Number(s):: PNNL-SA-127795; PII: S0927650517302529; TRN: US1801504

Journal Information:: Astroparticle Physics, Vol. 99; ISSN 0927-6505

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Cited by: 4 works

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