Coherent neutrino scattering in dark matter detectors

Abstract

Coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus and weakly interacting massive particle-nucleus interaction signatures are expected to be quite similar. This paper discusses how a next-generation ton-scale dark matter detector could discover neutrino-nucleus coherent scattering, a precisely-predicted standard model process. A high-intensity pion-and muon-decay-at-rest neutrino source recently proposed for oscillation physics at underground laboratories would provide the neutrinos for these measurements. In this paper, we calculate raw rates for various target materials commonly used in dark matter detectors and show that discovery of this interaction is possible with a 2 ton Á year GEODM exposure in an optimistic energy threshold and efficiency scenario. We also study the effects of the neutrino source on weakly interacting massive particle sensitivity and discuss the modulated neutrino signal as a sensitivity/consistency check between different dark matter experiments at the Deep Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory. Furthermore, we consider the possibility of coherent neutrino physics with a GEODM module placed within tens of meters of the neutrino source.

Observable heavy Higgs dark matter

“…This leads to a strongly suppressed scattering cross-section, which may not be detected as it lies within the coherent neutrino-nucleus scattering regime [19]. Figure 8 also shows a limit from the future XENON1T experiment [20], with a proposed sensitivity of the order of 10 −9 − 10 −10 pb (dashed black line). We expect the next generation of DM detectors, such as XENON1T, to be able to test a large portion of the parameter space of the heavy DM in the I(2+1)HDM for m H 1 1 TeV.…”

Optical Methods in Orientation of High-Purity Germanium Crystal

“…Recently, there has been a great deal of interest in searching for dark matter and neutrinoless double-beta decay that are so called rare event physics beyond Standard Model using ton-scale high-purity germanium (HPGe) detectors with ultra-low internal radioactive backgrounds [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. The high purity germanium crystal (net concentration range below 10 10 /cm 3 ) was grown in pure hydrogen atmosphere.…”

Unified approach to electron and neutrino elastic scattering off nuclei with an application to the study of the axial structure

“…Elastic neutrino scattering off nuclei can be exploited to determine electroweak parameters at very low momentum transfers, to test the universality of the weak interaction for charged and neutral leptons, or to estimate the escape rate of neutrinos created in a variety of stages of star evolution [1]. These motivations support recent experimental proposals to measure neutrino elastic scattering, such as the neutrino program at SNS-ORNL [2,3], including the design of specific detectors for this process [4] or the analysis of sensitivities to it of several neutrino and dark matter detectors [5].…”