Nuclear Recoil Calibration at Sub-keV Energies in LUX and Its Impact on Dark Matter Search Sensitivity

D. S. Akerib; S. Alsum; H. M. Araújo; X. Bai; J. Balajthy; J. Bang; A. Baxter; E. P. Bernard; A. Bernstein; T. P. Biesiadzinski; E. M. Boulton; B. Boxer; P. Brás; S. Burdin; D. Byram; M. C. Carmona-Benitez; C. Chan; J. E. Cutter; L. De Viveiros; E. Druszkiewicz; A. Fan; S. Fiorucci; R. J. Gaitskell; C. Ghag; M. G.D. Gilchriese; C. Gwilliam; C. R. Hall; S. J. Haselschwardt; S. A. Hertel; D. P. Hogan; M. Horn; D. Q. Huang; C. M. Ignarra; R. G. Jacobsen; O. Jahangir; W. Ji; K. Kamdin; K. Kazkaz; D. Khaitan; E. V. Korolkova; S. Kravitz; V. A. Kudryavtsev; E. Leason; K. T. Lesko; J. Liao; J. Lin; A. Lindote; M. I. Lopes; A. Manalaysay; R. L. Mannino; N. Marangou; D. N. McKinsey; D. M. Mei; J. A. Morad; A. St J. Murphy; A. Naylor; C. Nehrkorn; H. N. Nelson; F. Neves; A. Nilima; K. C. Oliver-Mallory; K. J. Palladino; C. Rhyne; Q. Riffard; G. R.C. Rischbieter; P. Rossiter; S. Shaw; T. A. Shutt; C. Silva; M. Solmaz; V. N. Solovov; P. Sorensen; T. J. Sumner; N. Swanson; M. Szydagis; D. J. Taylor; R. Taylor; W. C. Taylor; B. P. Tennyson; P. A. Terman; D. R. Tiedt; W. H. To; L. Tvrznikova; U. Utku; A. Vacheret; A. Vaitkus; V. Velan; R. C. Webb; J. T. White; T. J. Whitis; M. S. Witherell; F. L.H. Wolfs; D. Woodward; X. Xiang; J. Xu; C. Zhang

doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.134.061002

Nuclear Recoil Calibration at Sub-keV Energies in LUX and Its Impact on Dark Matter Search Sensitivity

D. S. Akerib, S. Alsum, H. M. Araújo, X. Bai, J. Balajthy, J. Bang, A. Baxter, E. P. Bernard, A. Bernstein, T. P. Biesiadzinski, E. M. Boulton, B. Boxer, P. Brás, S. Burdin, D. Byram, M. C. Carmona-Benitez, C. Chan, J. E. Cutter, L. De Viveiros, E. DruszkiewiczA. Fan, S. Fiorucci, R. J. Gaitskell, C. Ghag, M. G.D. Gilchriese, C. Gwilliam, C. R. Hall, S. J. Haselschwardt, S. A. Hertel, D. P. Hogan, M. Horn, D. Q. Huang, C. M. Ignarra, R. G. Jacobsen, O. Jahangir, W. Ji, K. Kamdin, K. Kazkaz, D. Khaitan, E. V. Korolkova, S. Kravitz, V. A. Kudryavtsev, E. Leason, K. T. Lesko, J. Liao, J. Lin, A. Lindote, M. I. Lopes, A. Manalaysay, R. L. Mannino, N. Marangou, D. N. McKinsey, D. M. Mei, J. A. Morad, A. St J. Murphy, A. Naylor, C. Nehrkorn, H. N. Nelson, F. Neves, A. Nilima, K. C. Oliver-Mallory, K. J. Palladino, C. Rhyne, Q. Riffard, G. R.C. Rischbieter, P. Rossiter, S. Shaw, T. A. Shutt, C. Silva, M. Solmaz, V. N. Solovov, P. Sorensen, T. J. Sumner, N. Swanson, M. Szydagis, D. J. Taylor, R. Taylor, W. C. Taylor, B. P. Tennyson, P. A. Terman, D. R. Tiedt, W. H. To, L. Tvrznikova, U. Utku, A. Vacheret, A. Vaitkus, V. Velan, R. C. Webb, J. T. White, T. J. Whitis, M. S. Witherell, F. L.H. Wolfs, D. Woodward, X. Xiang, J. Xu, C. Zhang

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Dual-phase xenon time projection chamber (TPC) detectors offer heightened sensitivities for dark matter detection across a spectrum of particle masses. To broaden their capability to low-mass dark matter interactions, we investigated the light and charge responses of liquid xenon (LXe) to sub-keV nuclear recoils. Using neutron events from a pulsed Adelphi Deuterium-Deuterium neutron generator, an in situ calibration was conducted on the LUX detector. We demonstrate direct measurements of light and charge yields down to 0.45 and 0.27 keV, respectively, both approaching single quanta production, the physical limit of LXe detectors. These results hold significant implications for the future of dual-phase xenon TPCs in detecting low-mass dark matter via nuclear recoils.

Original language	English (US)
Article number	061002
Journal	Physical review letters
Volume	134
Issue number	6
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.134.061002
State	Published - Feb 14 2025

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

General Physics and Astronomy

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10.1103/PhysRevLett.134.061002

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Akerib, D. S., Alsum, S., Araújo, H. M., Bai, X., Balajthy, J., Bang, J., Baxter, A., Bernard, E. P., Bernstein, A., Biesiadzinski, T. P., Boulton, E. M., Boxer, B., Brás, P., Burdin, S., Byram, D., Carmona-Benitez, M. C., Chan, C., Cutter, J. E., De Viveiros, L., ... Zhang, C. (2025). Nuclear Recoil Calibration at Sub-keV Energies in LUX and Its Impact on Dark Matter Search Sensitivity. Physical review letters, 134(6), Article 061002. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.134.061002

@article{4ac9e1ee65754ecfa489048a590df19e,

title = "Nuclear Recoil Calibration at Sub-keV Energies in LUX and Its Impact on Dark Matter Search Sensitivity",

abstract = "Dual-phase xenon time projection chamber (TPC) detectors offer heightened sensitivities for dark matter detection across a spectrum of particle masses. To broaden their capability to low-mass dark matter interactions, we investigated the light and charge responses of liquid xenon (LXe) to sub-keV nuclear recoils. Using neutron events from a pulsed Adelphi Deuterium-Deuterium neutron generator, an in situ calibration was conducted on the LUX detector. We demonstrate direct measurements of light and charge yields down to 0.45 and 0.27 keV, respectively, both approaching single quanta production, the physical limit of LXe detectors. These results hold significant implications for the future of dual-phase xenon TPCs in detecting low-mass dark matter via nuclear recoils.",

author = "Akerib, {D. S.} and S. Alsum and Ara{\'u}jo, {H. M.} and X. Bai and J. Balajthy and J. Bang and A. Baxter and Bernard, {E. P.} and A. Bernstein and Biesiadzinski, {T. P.} and Boulton, {E. M.} and B. Boxer and P. Br{\'a}s and S. Burdin and D. Byram and Carmona-Benitez, {M. C.} and C. Chan and Cutter, {J. E.} and {De Viveiros}, L. and E. Druszkiewicz and A. Fan and S. Fiorucci and Gaitskell, {R. J.} and C. Ghag and Gilchriese, {M. G.D.} and C. Gwilliam and Hall, {C. R.} and Haselschwardt, {S. J.} and Hertel, {S. A.} and Hogan, {D. P.} and M. Horn and Huang, {D. Q.} and Ignarra, {C. M.} and Jacobsen, {R. G.} and O. Jahangir and W. Ji and K. Kamdin and K. Kazkaz and D. Khaitan and Korolkova, {E. V.} and S. Kravitz and Kudryavtsev, {V. A.} and E. Leason and Lesko, {K. T.} and J. Liao and J. Lin and A. Lindote and Lopes, {M. I.} and A. Manalaysay and Mannino, {R. L.} and N. Marangou and McKinsey, {D. N.} and Mei, {D. M.} and Morad, {J. A.} and Murphy, {A. St J.} and A. Naylor and C. Nehrkorn and Nelson, {H. N.} and F. Neves and A. Nilima and Oliver-Mallory, {K. C.} and Palladino, {K. J.} and C. Rhyne and Q. Riffard and Rischbieter, {G. R.C.} and P. Rossiter and S. Shaw and Shutt, {T. A.} and C. Silva and M. Solmaz and Solovov, {V. N.} and P. Sorensen and Sumner, {T. J.} and N. Swanson and M. Szydagis and Taylor, {D. J.} and R. Taylor and Taylor, {W. C.} and Tennyson, {B. P.} and Terman, {P. A.} and Tiedt, {D. R.} and To, {W. H.} and L. Tvrznikova and U. Utku and A. Vacheret and A. Vaitkus and V. Velan and Webb, {R. C.} and White, {J. T.} and Whitis, {T. J.} and Witherell, {M. S.} and Wolfs, {F. L.H.} and D. Woodward and X. Xiang and J. Xu and C. Zhang",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2025 American Physical Society.",

year = "2025",

month = feb,

day = "14",

doi = "10.1103/PhysRevLett.134.061002",

language = "English (US)",

volume = "134",

journal = "Physical review letters",

issn = "0031-9007",

publisher = "American Physical Society",

number = "6",

}

Akerib, DS, Alsum, S, Araújo, HM, Bai, X, Balajthy, J, Bang, J, Baxter, A, Bernard, EP, Bernstein, A, Biesiadzinski, TP, Boulton, EM, Boxer, B, Brás, P, Burdin, S, Byram, D, Carmona-Benitez, MC, Chan, C, Cutter, JE, De Viveiros, L, Druszkiewicz, E, Fan, A, Fiorucci, S, Gaitskell, RJ, Ghag, C, Gilchriese, MGD, Gwilliam, C, Hall, CR, Haselschwardt, SJ, Hertel, SA, Hogan, DP, Horn, M, Huang, DQ, Ignarra, CM, Jacobsen, RG, Jahangir, O, Ji, W, Kamdin, K, Kazkaz, K, Khaitan, D, Korolkova, EV, Kravitz, S, Kudryavtsev, VA, Leason, E, Lesko, KT, Liao, J, Lin, J, Lindote, A, Lopes, MI, Manalaysay, A, Mannino, RL, Marangou, N, McKinsey, DN, Mei, DM, Morad, JA, Murphy, ASJ, Naylor, A, Nehrkorn, C, Nelson, HN, Neves, F, Nilima, A, Oliver-Mallory, KC, Palladino, KJ, Rhyne, C, Riffard, Q, Rischbieter, GRC, Rossiter, P, Shaw, S, Shutt, TA, Silva, C, Solmaz, M, Solovov, VN, Sorensen, P, Sumner, TJ, Swanson, N, Szydagis, M, Taylor, DJ, Taylor, R, Taylor, WC, Tennyson, BP, Terman, PA, Tiedt, DR, To, WH, Tvrznikova, L, Utku, U, Vacheret, A, Vaitkus, A, Velan, V, Webb, RC, White, JT, Whitis, TJ, Witherell, MS, Wolfs, FLH, Woodward, D, Xiang, X, Xu, J & Zhang, C 2025, 'Nuclear Recoil Calibration at Sub-keV Energies in LUX and Its Impact on Dark Matter Search Sensitivity', Physical review letters, vol. 134, no. 6, 061002. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.134.061002

TY - JOUR

T1 - Nuclear Recoil Calibration at Sub-keV Energies in LUX and Its Impact on Dark Matter Search Sensitivity

AU - Akerib, D. S.

AU - Alsum, S.

AU - Araújo, H. M.

AU - Bai, X.

AU - Balajthy, J.

AU - Bang, J.

AU - Baxter, A.

AU - Bernard, E. P.

AU - Bernstein, A.

AU - Biesiadzinski, T. P.

AU - Boulton, E. M.

AU - Boxer, B.

AU - Brás, P.

AU - Burdin, S.

AU - Byram, D.

AU - Carmona-Benitez, M. C.

AU - Chan, C.

AU - Cutter, J. E.

AU - De Viveiros, L.

AU - Druszkiewicz, E.

AU - Fan, A.

AU - Fiorucci, S.

AU - Gaitskell, R. J.

AU - Ghag, C.

AU - Gilchriese, M. G.D.

AU - Gwilliam, C.

AU - Hall, C. R.

AU - Haselschwardt, S. J.

AU - Hertel, S. A.

AU - Hogan, D. P.

AU - Horn, M.

AU - Huang, D. Q.

AU - Ignarra, C. M.

AU - Jacobsen, R. G.

AU - Jahangir, O.

AU - Ji, W.

AU - Kamdin, K.

AU - Kazkaz, K.

AU - Khaitan, D.

AU - Korolkova, E. V.

AU - Kravitz, S.

AU - Kudryavtsev, V. A.

AU - Leason, E.

AU - Lesko, K. T.

AU - Liao, J.

AU - Lin, J.

AU - Lindote, A.

AU - Lopes, M. I.

AU - Manalaysay, A.

AU - Mannino, R. L.

AU - Marangou, N.

AU - McKinsey, D. N.

AU - Mei, D. M.

AU - Morad, J. A.

AU - Murphy, A. St J.

AU - Naylor, A.

AU - Nehrkorn, C.

AU - Nelson, H. N.

AU - Neves, F.

AU - Nilima, A.

AU - Oliver-Mallory, K. C.

AU - Palladino, K. J.

AU - Rhyne, C.

AU - Riffard, Q.

AU - Rischbieter, G. R.C.

AU - Rossiter, P.

AU - Shaw, S.

AU - Shutt, T. A.

AU - Silva, C.

AU - Solmaz, M.

AU - Solovov, V. N.

AU - Sorensen, P.

AU - Sumner, T. J.

AU - Swanson, N.

AU - Szydagis, M.

AU - Taylor, D. J.

AU - Taylor, R.

AU - Taylor, W. C.

AU - Tennyson, B. P.

AU - Terman, P. A.

AU - Tiedt, D. R.

AU - To, W. H.

AU - Tvrznikova, L.

AU - Utku, U.

AU - Vacheret, A.

AU - Vaitkus, A.

AU - Velan, V.

AU - Webb, R. C.

AU - White, J. T.

AU - Whitis, T. J.

AU - Witherell, M. S.

AU - Wolfs, F. L.H.

AU - Woodward, D.

AU - Xiang, X.

AU - Xu, J.

AU - Zhang, C.

PY - 2025/2/14

Y1 - 2025/2/14

N2 - Dual-phase xenon time projection chamber (TPC) detectors offer heightened sensitivities for dark matter detection across a spectrum of particle masses. To broaden their capability to low-mass dark matter interactions, we investigated the light and charge responses of liquid xenon (LXe) to sub-keV nuclear recoils. Using neutron events from a pulsed Adelphi Deuterium-Deuterium neutron generator, an in situ calibration was conducted on the LUX detector. We demonstrate direct measurements of light and charge yields down to 0.45 and 0.27 keV, respectively, both approaching single quanta production, the physical limit of LXe detectors. These results hold significant implications for the future of dual-phase xenon TPCs in detecting low-mass dark matter via nuclear recoils.

AB - Dual-phase xenon time projection chamber (TPC) detectors offer heightened sensitivities for dark matter detection across a spectrum of particle masses. To broaden their capability to low-mass dark matter interactions, we investigated the light and charge responses of liquid xenon (LXe) to sub-keV nuclear recoils. Using neutron events from a pulsed Adelphi Deuterium-Deuterium neutron generator, an in situ calibration was conducted on the LUX detector. We demonstrate direct measurements of light and charge yields down to 0.45 and 0.27 keV, respectively, both approaching single quanta production, the physical limit of LXe detectors. These results hold significant implications for the future of dual-phase xenon TPCs in detecting low-mass dark matter via nuclear recoils.

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85217918170&partnerID=8YFLogxK

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85217918170&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1103/PhysRevLett.134.061002

DO - 10.1103/PhysRevLett.134.061002

M3 - Article

C2 - 40021173

AN - SCOPUS:85217918170

SN - 0031-9007

VL - 134

JO - Physical review letters

JF - Physical review letters

IS - 6

M1 - 061002

ER -

Nuclear Recoil Calibration at Sub-keV Energies in LUX and Its Impact on Dark Matter Search Sensitivity

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