Neutron Beam Tests of $CsI(Na)$ and $CaF_{2}(Eu)$ Crystals for Dark Matter Direct Search

TL;DR

This study uses mono-energetic neutron beams to evaluate the nuclear recoil response and discrimination capabilities of $CsI(Na)$ and $CaF_{2}(Eu)$ crystals, aiding dark matter detection efforts.

Contribution

It provides new measurements of quenching factors and improved background discrimination for these crystals in dark matter searches.

Findings

Measured quenching factors for $CsI(Na)$ and $CaF_{2}(Eu)$

Enhanced discrimination between nuclear recoils and gamma backgrounds in $CsI(Na)$

Results support the use of these crystals in dark matter detectors.

Abstract

In recent decades, inorganic crystals have been widely used in dark matter direct search experiments. To contribute to the understanding of the capabilities of $CsI(Na)$ and $CaF_{2}(Eu)$ crystals, a mono-energetic neutron beam is utilized to study the properties of nuclear recoils, which are expected to be similar to signals of dark matter direct detection. The quenching factor of nuclear recoils in $CsI(Na)$ and $CaF_{2}(Eu)$, as well as an improved discrimination factor between nuclear recoils and ${\gamma}$ backgrounds in $CsI(Na)$, are reported.