Proposal for broad-range directional detection of light dark matter in cryogenic ice

Journal Article · 27 November 2024 · Physical Review. D.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevd.110.103552 · OSTI ID:2479295

Taufertshöfer, Nora  ^[1]; Garcia-Sciveres, Maurice  ^[2]; Griffin, Sinéad M. ^[3]

---

1. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States). Molecular Foundry; Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States); University of Würzburg (Germany)
2. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
3. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States). Molecular Foundry; Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)

We propose hexagonal ice (H₂⁡O) as a new target for light dark matter (DM) direct detection. Ice, a polar material, is suitable for single phonon detection through DM scattering for which we consider light dark photon and light scalar mediator models. We report a rate sensitivity down to a DM mass of ~keV, constituting a broader mass range than other promising candidates. We find better sensitivity for near-term experimental thresholds from the presence of high-frequency phonons. These advantages, and ice’s availability, make it highly promising for single-phonon detection.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES), Materials Sciences & Engineering Division
• Grant/Contract Number: AC02-05CH11231
• OSTI ID: 2479295
• Journal Information: Physical Review. D., Journal Name: Physical Review. D. Journal Issue: 10 Vol. 110; ISSN 2470-0010
• Publisher: American Physical Society (APS)Copyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English