On the critical energy required for homogeneous nucleation in bubble chambers employed in dark matter searches

TL;DR

This paper derives new equations for the critical energy and radius in homogeneous nucleation within superheated liquids, revealing potential overestimations in the sensitivity of dark matter search bubble chambers.

Contribution

It introduces two thermodynamics-based equations for critical energy and radius, improving understanding of bubble nucleation in dark matter detection.

Findings

New equations for critical energy and radius derived from thermodynamics

Comparison shows previous models may overestimate detector sensitivity

Implications for more accurate dark matter detection sensitivity assessments

Abstract

Two equations for the calculation of the critical energy required for homogeneous nucleation in a superheated liquid, and the related critical radius of the nucleated vapour bubble, are obtained, the former by the direct application of the first law of thermodynamics, the latter by considering that the bubble formation implies the overcoming of a barrier of the free enthalpy potential. Comparisons with the currently used relationships demonstrate that the sensitivity of the bubble chambers employed in dark matter searches can be sometimes notably overestimated.