Snowmass2021 Cosmic Frontier White Paper: Calibrations and backgrounds for dark matter direct detection

Abstract

Future dark matter direct detection experiments will reach unprecedented levels of sensitivity. Achieving this sensitivity will require more precise models of signal and background rates in future detectors. Improving the precision of signal and background modeling goes hand-in-hand with novel calibration techniques that can probe rare processes and lower threshold detector response. The goal of this white paper is to outline community needs to meet the background and calibration requirements of nextgeneration dark matter direct detection experiments.

Simulation-based design study for the passive shielding of the COSINUS dark matter experiment

“…Muon-induced neutrons can be produced through four different processes: (1) negative muon capture, (2) muon-induced spallation reactions, (3) neutron production by hadrons from muon-induced hadronic cascades, and (4) neutron production by photons from muon-induced electromagnetic cascades [27]. The muon-induced neutron energy spectrum can be approximated by a 1/E relationship up to 0.5 GeV and a 1/E 2 relationship beyond [28]. The spectrum (see Fig.…”