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Detection and Calibration of Low-Energy Nuclear Recoils for Dark Matter and Neutrino Scattering Experiments

Journal Article · · Annual Review of Nuclear and Particle Science
 [1];  [2];  [3]
  1. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
  2. Duke University, Durham, NC (United States)
  3. University of Toronto, ON (Canada)

Detection of low-energy nuclear recoil events plays a central role in searches for particle dark matter interactions with atomic matter and studies of coherent neutrino scatters. Precise nuclear recoil calibration data allow the responses of these dark matter and neutrino detectors to be characterized and enable in situ evaluation of an experiment's sensitivity to anticipated signals. This article reviews the common methods for detection of nuclear recoil events and the wide variety of techniques that have been developed to calibrate detector response to nuclear recoils. We summarize the main experimental factors that are critical for accurate nuclear recoil calibrations, investigate mitigation strategies for different backgrounds and biases, and discuss how the presentation of calibration results can facilitate comparison between experiments. Lastly, we discuss the challenges for future nuclear recoil calibration efforts and the physics opportunities they may enable.

Research Organization:
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); USDOE Office of Science (SC), High Energy Physics (HEP); Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC52-07NA27344
OSTI ID:
2203329
Report Number(s):
LLNL--JRNL-842240; 1064401
Journal Information:
Annual Review of Nuclear and Particle Science, Journal Name: Annual Review of Nuclear and Particle Science Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 73; ISSN 0163-8998
Publisher:
Annual ReviewsCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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