Neutron background in large-scale xenon detectors for dark matter searches

TL;DR

This paper presents simulations of neutron backgrounds in large-scale xenon dark matter detectors, analyzing sources, suppression methods, and implications for detector sensitivity to WIMP interactions.

Contribution

It introduces detailed simulation techniques for neutron backgrounds and evaluates suppression strategies for future large-scale xenon dark matter detectors.

Findings

Neutron backgrounds originate from rock, detector materials, and cosmic-ray muons.

Suppression methods can significantly reduce neutron-induced backgrounds.

A tonne-scale detector can reach sensitivities of 10^{-9} to 10^{-10} pb for WIMP detection.

Abstract

Simulations of the neutron background for future large-scale particle dark matter detectors are presented. Neutrons were generated in rock and detector elements via spontaneous fission and (alpha,n) reactions, and by cosmic-ray muons. The simulation techniques and results are discussed in the context of the expected sensitivity of a generic liquid xenon dark matter detector. Methods of neutron background suppression are investigated. A sensitivity of $10^{-9}-10^{-10}$ pb to WIMP-nucleon interactions can be achieved by a tonne-scale detector.