Title: SENSEI: Direct-Detection Constraints on Sub-GeV Dark Matter from a Shallow Underground Run Using a Prototype Skipper CCD

Abstract

We present new direct-detection constraints on eV-to-GeV dark matter interacting with electrons using a prototype detector of the Sub-Electron-Noise Skipper-CCD Experimental Instrument. The results are based on data taken in the MINOS cavern at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. We focus on data obtained with two distinct readout strategies. For the first strategy, we read out the Skipper CCD continuously, accumulating an exposure of 0.177 g day. While we observe no events containing three or more electrons, we find a large one- and two-electron background event rate, which we attribute to spurious events induced by the amplifier in the Skipper-CCD readout stage. For the second strategy, we take five sets of data in which we switch off all amplifiers while exposing the Skipper CCD for 120 ks, and then read out the data through the best prototype amplifier. We find a one-electron event rate of (3.51 ± 0.10) × 10^-3 events/pixel/day, which is almost 2 orders of magnitude lower than the one-electron event rate observed in the continuous-readout data, and a two-electron event rate of (3.18^+0.86_-0.55) × 10^-5 events/pixel/day. We again observe no events containing three or more electrons, for an exposure of 0.069 g day. We use these data to derive world-leadingmore » constraints on dark matter-electron scattering for masses between 500 keV and 5 MeV, and on dark-photon dark matter being absorbed by electrons for a range of masses below 12.4 eV.« less

Authors:

Abramoff, Orr; Barak, Liron; Bloch, Itay M.; Chaplinsky, Luke; Crisler, Michael; Dawa,; Drlica-Wagner, Alex; Essig, Rouven; Estrada, Juan; Etzion, Erez; Fernandez, Guillermo; Gift, Daniel; Sofo-Haro, Miguel; Taenzer, Joseph; Tiffenberg, Javier; Volansky, Tomer; Yu, Tien-Tien; SENSEI Collaboration

Publication Date:

Wed Apr 24 00:00:00 EDT 2019

Research Org.:

Fermi National Accelerator Lab. (FNAL), Batavia, IL (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

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

Contributing Org.:

SENSEI Collaboration

OSTI Identifier:

1508679

Alternate Identifier(s):

OSTI ID: 1510808

Report Number(s):

arXiv:1901.10478; YITP-2019-01; FERMILAB-PUB-19-039-AE
Journal ID: ISSN 0031-9007; PRLTAO; 161801

Grant/Contract Number:  

SC0017938; AC02-07CH11359

Resource Type:

Published Article

Journal Name:

Physical Review Letters

Additional Journal Information:

Journal Name: Physical Review Letters Journal Volume: 122 Journal Issue: 16; Journal ID: ISSN 0031-9007

Publisher:

American Physical Society

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS; 46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY; 72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS