Microscopic Model for the Scintillation-Light Generation and Light-Quenching in CaWO$_4$ single crystals

TL;DR

This paper presents a detailed microscopic model for light generation and quenching in CaWO$_4$ crystals, explaining particle-dependent light emission and enabling predictions of light-quenching factors and pulse shapes for dark matter detection.

Contribution

The paper introduces a comprehensive microscopic model that quantitatively explains light emission and quenching in CaWO$_4$, extending to other scintillator materials.

Findings

Quantitative explanation of particle-dependent light emission.

Calculation of light-quenching factors and pulse shapes.

Model applicability to various scintillator types.

Abstract

Scintillators are employed for particle detection and identification using light-pulse shapes and light quenching factors. We developed a comprehensive model describing the light generation and quenching in CaWO$_4$ single crystals used for direct dark matter search. All observed particle-dependent light-emission characteristics can be explained quantitatively, light-quenching factors and light-pulse shapes are calculated on a microscopic basis. This model can be extended to other scintillators such as inorganic crystal scintillators, liquid noble gases or organic liquid scintillators.