Performance of Photosensors in the PandaX-I Experiment

TL;DR

This paper evaluates the long-term performance of specific photosensors used in the PandaX-I dark matter experiment, providing valuable insights for future large-scale xenon-based detectors.

Contribution

It presents the first extended operation data of R11410 photomultiplier tubes in liquid xenon, informing future detector design and sensor selection.

Findings

Successful long-term operation of R11410 PMTs in liquid xenon

Guidance for future large xenon dark matter experiments

Extended performance data for photosensors in cryogenic conditions

Abstract

We report the long term performance of the photosensors, 143 one-inch R8520-406 and 37 three-inch R11410-MOD photomultipliers from Hamamatsu, in the first phase of the PandaX dual-phase xenon dark matter experiment. This is the first time that a significant number of R11410 photomultiplier tubes were operated in liquid xenon for an extended period, providing important guidance to the future large xenon-based dark matter experiments.