Accessing new physics with an undoped, cryogenic CsI CEvNS detector for COHERENT at the SNS

TL;DR

A cryogenic CsI detector at SNS could enhance measurements of neutrino interactions, test new physics beyond the standard model, and contribute to nuclear physics and neutrino astronomy with improved sensitivity and timing.

Contribution

Proposes a novel 10-kg undoped cryogenic CsI detector for enhanced neutrino and new physics measurements at SNS.

Findings

Significantly improves event rate and lowers detection threshold.

Demonstrates potential to test beyond-standard-model physics scenarios.

Enables studies of nuclear structure and supernova neutrinos.

Abstract

We consider the potential for a 10-kg undoped cryogenic CsI detector operating at the Spallation Neutron Source to measure coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering and its sensitivity to discover new physics beyond the standard model. Through a combination of increased event rate, lower threshold, and good timing resolution, such a detector would significantly improve on past measurements. We considered tests of several beyond-the-standard-model scenarios such as neutrino non-standard interactions and accelerator-produced dark matter. This detector's performance was also studied for relevant questions in nuclear physics and neutrino astronomy, namely the weak charge distribution of CsI nuclei and detection of neutrinos from a core-collapse supernova.