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Feasibility study to use neutron capture for an ultralow energy nuclear-recoil calibration in liquid xenon

Journal Article · · Physical Review. D.
The feasibility of an ultra-low energy nuclear-recoil measurement in liquid xenon using neutron capture is investigated for a small (sub-kilogram) liquid xenon detector that is optimized for a high scintillation gain, and a pulsed neutron source. Further, the measurement uses the recoil energies imparted to xenon nuclei during the de-excitation process following neutron capture, where promptly emitted γ cascades can provide the nuclei with up to 0.3 keVnr of recoil energy due to conservation of momentum. A successful calibration of scintillation photon and ionization electron yields below this energy will contribute to a greater sensitivity for liquid xenon experiments in searches for light WIMPs.
Research Organization:
Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
National Science Foundation (NSF); USDOE; USDOE Office of Science (SC)
Grant/Contract Number:
SC0019193
OSTI ID:
1995074
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1894720
OSTI ID: 1980148
Journal Information:
Physical Review. D., Journal Name: Physical Review. D. Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 106; ISSN 2470-0010
Publisher:
American Physical Society (APS)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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