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Author Villanueva-Domingo, P.; Ichiki, K. url  doi
openurl 
  Title 21 cm forest constraints on primordial black holes Type Journal Article
  Year 2023 Publication Publications of the Astronomical Society of Japan Abbreviated Journal Publ. Astron. Soc. Jpn.  
  Volume 75 Issue SP1 Pages S33-S49  
  Keywords dark matter; radio lines: ISM  
  Abstract Primordial black holes (PBHs) as part of the dark matter (DM) would modify the evolution of large-scale structures and the thermal history of the universe. Future 21 cm forest observations, sensitive to small scales and the thermal state of the intergalactic medium (IGM), could probe the existence of such PBHs. In this article, we show that the shot noise isocurvature mode on small scales induced by the presence of PBHs can enhance the amount of low-mass halos, or minihalos, and thus, the number of 21 cm absorption lines. However, if the mass of PBHs is as large as M-PBH greater than or similar to 10 M-circle dot, with an abundant enough fraction of PBHs as DM, f(PBH), the IGM heating due to accretion on to the PBHs counteracts the enhancement due to the isocurvature mode, reducing the number of absorption lines instead. The concurrence of both effects imprints distinctive signatures on the number of absorbers, allowing the abundance of PBHs to be bound. We compute the prospects for constraining PBHs with future 21 cm forest observations, finding achievable competitive upper limits on the abundance as low as f(PBH) similar to 10(-3) at M-PBH = 100 M-circle dot, or even lower at larger masses, in regions of the parameter space unexplored by current probes. The impact of astrophysical X-ray sources on the IGM temperature is also studied, which could potentially weaken the bounds.  
  Address [Villanueva-Domingo, Pablo] Univ Valencia, Inst Fis Corpuscular IFIC, CSIC, Apartado Correos 22085, E-46071 Valencia, Spain, Email: ichiki@a.phys.nagoya-u.ac.jp  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher (up) Oxford Univ Press Place of Publication Editor  
  Language English Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0004-6264 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes WOS:000768441900001 Approved no  
  Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes  
  Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 5168  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Giare, W.; Renzi, F.; Melchiorri, A.; Mena, O.; Di Valentino, E. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Cosmological forecasts on thermal axions, relic neutrinos, and light elements Type Journal Article
  Year 2022 Publication Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society Abbreviated Journal Mon. Not. Roy. Astron. Soc.  
  Volume 511 Issue 1 Pages 1373-1382  
  Keywords cosmic background radiation; cosmological parameters; dark matter; early Universe; cosmology: observations  
  Abstract One of the targets of future cosmic microwave background (CMB) and baryon acoustic oscillation measurements is to improve the current accuracy in the neutrino sector and reach a much better sensitivity on extra dark radiation in the early Universe. In this paper, we study how these improvements can be translated into constraining power for well-motivated extensions of the standard model of elementary particles that involve axions thermalized before the quantum chromodynamics (QCD) phase transition by scatterings with gluons. Assuming a fiducial Lambda cold dark matter cosmological model, we simulate future data for Stage-IV CMB-like and Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI)-like surveys and analyse a mixed scenario of axion and neutrino hot dark matter. We further account also for the effects of these QCD axions on the light element abundances predicted by big bang nucleosynthesis. The most constraining forecasted limits on the hot relic masses are m(a) less than or similar to 0.92 eV and n-ary sumation m(nu) less than or similar to 0.12 eV at 95 per cent Confidence Level, showing that future cosmic observations can substantially improve the current bounds, supporting multimessenger analyses of axion, neutrino, and primordial light element properties.  
  Address [Giare, William; Melchiorri, Alessandro] Univ Roma La Sapienza, Phys Dept, Ple Aldo Moro 2, I-00185 Rome, Italy, Email: william.giare@gmail.com  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher (up) Oxford Univ Press Place of Publication Editor  
  Language English Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0035-8711 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes WOS:000770034000012 Approved no  
  Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes  
  Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 5192  
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Author Gammaldi, V.; Zaldivar, B.; Sanchez-Conde, M.A.; Coronado-Blazquez, J. url  doi
openurl 
  Title A search for dark matter among Fermi-LAT unidentified sources with systematic features in machine learning Type Journal Article
  Year 2023 Publication Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society Abbreviated Journal Mon. Not. Roy. Astron. Soc.  
  Volume 520 Issue 1 Pages 1348-1361  
  Keywords astroparticle physics – methods; data analysis – methods; observational – methods; statistical – dark matter – gamma-rays; general  
  Abstract Around one-third of the point-like sources in the Fermi-LAT catalogues remain as unidentified sources (unIDs) today. Indeed, these unIDs lack a clear, univocal association with a known astrophysical source. If dark matter (DM) is composed of weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs), there is the exciting possibility that some of these unIDs may actually be DM sources, emitting gamma-rays from WIMPs annihilation. We propose a new approach to solve the standard, machine learning (ML) binary classification problem of disentangling prospective DM sources (simulated data) from astrophysical sources (observed data) among the unIDs of the 4FGL Fermi-LAT catalogue. We artificially build two systematic features for the DM data which are originally inherent to observed data: the detection significance and the uncertainty on the spectral curvature. We do it by sampling from the observed population of unIDs, assuming that the DM distributions would, if any, follow the latter. We consider different ML models: Logistic Regression, Neural Network (NN), Naive Bayes, and Gaussian Process, out of which the best, in terms of classification accuracy, is the NN, achieving around 93 . 3 per cent +/- 0 . 7 per cent performance. Other ML evaluation parameters, such as the True Ne gativ e and True Positive rates, are discussed in our work. Applying the NN to the unIDs sample, we find that the de generac y between some astrophysical and DM sources can be partially solved within this methodology. None the less, we conclude that there are no DM source candidates among the pool of 4FGL Fermi-LAT unIDs.  
  Address [Gammaldi, V; Sanchez-Conde, M. A.; Coronado-Blazquez, J.] Univ Autonoma Madrid, Departamentode Fis Teor, E-28049 Madrid, Spain, Email: viviana.gammaldi@uam.es;  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher (up) Oxford Univ Press Place of Publication Editor  
  Language English Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0035-8711 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes WOS:000937053400014 Approved no  
  Is ISI yes International Collaboration no  
  Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 5489  
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Author de los Rios, M.; Petac, M.; Zaldivar, B.; Bonaventura, N.R.; Calore, F.; Iocco, F. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Determining the dark matter distribution in simulated galaxies with deep learning Type Journal Article
  Year 2023 Publication Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society Abbreviated Journal Mon. Not. Roy. Astron. Soc.  
  Volume 525 Issue 4 Pages 6015-6035  
  Keywords methods: data analysis; software: simulations; galaxies: general; galaxies: haloes; dark matter  
  Abstract We present a novel method of inferring the dark matter (DM) content and spatial distribution within galaxies, using convolutional neural networks (CNNs) trained within state-of-the-art hydrodynamical simulations (Illustris-TNG100). Within the controlled environment of the simulation, the framework we have developed is capable of inferring the DM mass distribution within galaxies of mass similar to 10(11)-10(13)M(circle dot) from the gravitationally baryon-dominated internal regions to the DM-rich, baryon-depleted outskirts of the galaxies, with a mean absolute error always below approximate to 0.25 when using photometrical and spectroscopic information. With respect to traditional methods, the one presented here also possesses the advantages of not relying on a pre-assigned shape for the DM distribution, to be applicable to galaxies not necessarily in isolation, and to perform very well even in the absence of spectroscopic observations.  
  Address [de los Rios, Martin] Univ Estadual Paulista, ICTP South Amer Inst Fundamental Res, Inst Fis Teor, BR-01140070 Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil, Email: fabio.iocco.astro@gmail.com  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher (up) Oxford Univ Press Place of Publication Editor  
  Language English Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0035-8711 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes WOS:001072112100006 Approved no  
  Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes  
  Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 5707  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author ATLAS Collaboration (Aad, G. et al); Alvarez Piqueras, D.; Cabrera Urban, S.; Castillo Gimenez, V.; Costa, M.J.; Fernandez Martinez, P.; Ferrer, A.; Fiorini, L.; Fuster, J.; Garcia, C.; Garcia Navarro, J.E.; Gonzalez de la Hoz, S.; Hernandez Jimenez, Y.; Higon-Rodriguez, E.; Irles Quiles, A.; Jimenez Pena, J.; Kaci, M.; King, M.; Lacasta, C.; Lacuesta, V.R.; Marti-Garcia, S.; Mitsou, V.A.; Oliver Garcia, E.; Pedraza Lopez, S.; Perez Garcia-Estañ, M.T.; Romero Adam, E.; Ros, E.; Salt, J.; Sanchez Martinez, V.; Soldevila, U.; Sanchez, J.; Valero, A.; Valladolid Gallego, E.; Valls Ferrer, J.A.; Vos, M. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Constraints on new phenomena via Higgs boson couplings and invisible decays with the ATLAS detector Type Journal Article
  Year 2015 Publication Journal of High Energy Physics Abbreviated Journal J. High Energy Phys.  
  Volume 11 Issue 11 Pages 206 - 52pp  
  Keywords Supersymmetry; Hadron-Hadron Scattering; Higgs physics; Dark matter  
  Abstract The ATLAS experiment at the LHC has measured the Higgs boson couplings and mass, and searched for invisible Higgs boson decays, using multiple production and decay channels with up to 4.7 fb(-1) of pp collision data at root S = 7 TeV and 20.3 fb(-1) at root s = 8 TeV. In the current study, the measured production and decay rates of the observed Higgs boson in the gamma gamma, ZZ, WW, Z gamma, bb, tau tau, and μμdecay channels, along with results from the associated production of a Higgs boson with a top-quark pair, are used to probe the scaling of the couplings with mass. Limits are set on parameters in extensions of the Standard Model including a composite Higgs boson, an additional electroweak singlet, and two-Higgs-doublet models. Together with the measured mass of the scalar Higgs boson in the gamma gamma and ZZ decay modes, a lower limit is set on the pseudoscalar Higgs boson mass of m(A) > 370 GeV in the “hMSSM” simplified Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model. Results from direct searches for heavy Higgs bosons are also interpreted in the hMSSM. Direct searches for invisible Higgs boson decays in the vector-boson fusion and associated production of a Higgs boson with W/Z (Z -> ll, W/Z -> jj) modes are statistically combined to set an upper limit on the Higgs boson invisible branching ratio of 0.25. The use of the measured visible decay rates in a more general coupling fit improves the upper limit to 0.23, constraining a Higgs portal model of dark matter.  
  Address [Jackson, P.; Lee, L.; Petridis, A.; Soni, N.; White, M. J.] Univ Adelaide, Dept Phys, Adelaide, SA, Australia  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher (up) Springer Place of Publication Editor  
  Language English Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1029-8479 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes WOS:000366625100001 Approved no  
  Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes  
  Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 2507  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author NEXT Collaboration (Ferrario, P. et al); Laing, A.; Lopez-March, N.; Gomez-Cadenas, J.J.; Alvarez, V.; Carcel, S.; Cervera-Villanueva, A.; Diaz, J.; Liubarsky, I.; Lorca, D.; Martin-Albo, J.; Martinez, A.; Monrabal, F.; Monserrate, M.; Muñoz Vidal, J.; Nebot-Guinot, M.; Novella, P.; Querol, M.; Renner, J.; Rodriguez, J.; Serra, L.; Simon, A.; Sorel, M.; Yahlali, N. url  doi
openurl 
  Title First proof of topological signature in the high pressure xenon gas TPC with electroluminescence amplification for the NEXT experiment Type Journal Article
  Year 2016 Publication Journal of High Energy Physics Abbreviated Journal J. High Energy Phys.  
  Volume 01 Issue 1 Pages 104 - 18pp  
  Keywords Dark Matter; Double Beta Decay  
  Abstract The NEXT experiment aims to observe the neutrinoless double beta decay of Xe-136 in a high-pressure xenon gas TPC using electroluminescence (EL) to amplify the signal from ionization. One of the main advantages of this technology is the possibility to reconstruct the topology of events with energies close to Q(beta beta). This paper presents the first demonstration that the topology provides extra handles to reject background events using data obtained with the NEXT-DEMO prototype. Single electrons resulting from the interactions of Na-22 1275 keV gammas and electron-positron pairs produced by conversions of gammas from the Th-228 decay chain were used to represent the background and the signal in a double beta decay. These data were used to develop algorithms for the reconstruction of tracks and the identification of the energy deposited at the end-points, providing an extra background rejection factor of 24.3 +/- 1.4 (stat.)%, while maintaining an efficiency of 66.7 +/- 1.% for signal events.  
  Address [Ferrario, P.; Laing, A.; Lopez-March, N.; Gomez-Cadenas, J. J.; Alvarez, V.; Carcel, S.; Cervera, A.; Diaz, J.; Liubarsky, I.; Lorca, D.; Martin-Albo, J.; Martinez, A.; Monrabal, F.; Monserrate, M.; Munoz Vidal, J.; Nebot-Guinot, M.; Novella, P.; Querol, M.; Renner, J.; Rodriguez, J.; Serra, L.; Simon, A.; Sorel, M.; Yahlali, N.] CSIC, Inst Fis Corpuscular IFIC, Jose Beltran 2, Valencia 46980, Spain, Email: paola.ferrario@ific.uv.es  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher (up) Springer Place of Publication Editor  
  Language English Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1029-8479 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes WOS:000370438900001 Approved no  
  Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes  
  Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 2560  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author NEXT Collaboration (Martin-Albo, J. et al); Muñoz Vidal, J.; Ferrario, P.; Nebot-Guinot, M.; Gomez-Cadenas, J.J.; Alvarez, V.; Carcel, S.; Carrion, J.V.; Cervera-Villanueva, A.; Diaz, J.; Laing, A.; Liubarsky, I.; Lopez-March, N.; Lorca, D.; Martinez, A.; Novella, P.; Palmeiro, P.; Querol, M.; Renner, J.; Rodriguez, J.; Serra, L.; Simon, A.; Sorel, M.; Yahlali, N. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Sensitivity of NEXT-100 to neutrinoless double beta decay Type Journal Article
  Year 2016 Publication Journal of High Energy Physics Abbreviated Journal J. High Energy Phys.  
  Volume 05 Issue 5 Pages 159 - 30pp  
  Keywords Dark Matter and Double Beta Decay (experiments); Rare decay  
  Abstract NEXT-100 is an electroluminescent high-pressure xenon gas time projection chamber that will search for the neutrinoless double beta (0v beta beta) decay of Xe-136. The detector possesses two features of great value for 0v beta beta searches: energy resolution better than 1% FWHM at the Q value of Xe-136 and track reconstruction for the discrimination of signal and background events. This combination results in excellent sensitivity, as discussed in this paper. Material-screening measurements and a detailed Monte Carlo detector simulation predict a background rate for NEXT-100 of at most 4 x 10(-4) counts keV(-1) kg(-1) yr(-1). Accordingly, the detector will reach a sensitivity to the 0v beta beta-decay half-life of 2.8 x 10(25) years (90% CL) for an exposure of 100 kg.year, or 6.0 x 10(25) years after a run of 3 effective years.  
  Address [Martin-Albo, J.; Munoz Vidal, J.; Ferrario, P.; Nebot-Guinot, M.; Gomez-Cadenas, J. J.; Alvarez, V.; Carcel, S.; Carrion, J. V.; Cervera, A.; Diaz, J.; Laing, A.; Liubarsky, I.; Lopez-March, N.; Lorca, D.; Martinez, A.; Novella, P.; Palmeiro, B.; Querol, M.; Renner, J.; Rodriguez, J.; Serra, L.; Simon, A.; Sorel, M.; Yahlali, N.] CSIC, Inst Fis Corpuscular IFIC, Calle Catedrat Jose Beltran 2, Valencia 46980, Spain, Email: justo.martin-albo@ific.uv.es  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher (up) Springer Place of Publication Editor  
  Language English Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1029-8479 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes WOS:000391745200003 Approved no  
  Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes  
  Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 2928  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author NEXT Collaboration (Novella, P. et al); Palmeiro, B.; Simon, A.; Sorel, M.; Martinez-Lema, G.; Alvarez, V.; Benlloch-Rodriguez, J.M.; Botas, A.; Carcel, S.; Carrion, J.V.; Diaz, J.; Felkai, R.; Kekic, M.; Laing, A.; Lopez-March, N.; Martinez, A.; Muñoz Vidal, J.; Musti, M.; Nebot-Guinot, M.; Perez, J.; Querol, M.; Renner, J.; Rodriguez, J.; Romo-Luque, C.; Yahlali, N. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Measurement of radon-induced backgrounds in the NEXT double beta decay experiment Type Journal Article
  Year 2018 Publication Journal of High Energy Physics Abbreviated Journal J. High Energy Phys.  
  Volume 10 Issue 10 Pages 112 - 27pp  
  Keywords Dark Matter and Double Beta Decay (experiments)  
  Abstract The measurement of the internal Rn-222 activity in the NEXT-White detector during the so-called Run-II period with Xe-136-depleted xenon is discussed in detail, together with its implications for double beta decay searches in NEXT. The activity is measured through the alpha production rate induced in the fiducial volume by Rn-222 and its alpha-emitting progeny. The specific activity is measured to be (38.1 +/- 2.2 (stat.) +/- 5.9 (syst.)) mBq/m(3). Radon-induced electrons have also been characterized from the decay of the Bi-214 daughter ions plating out on the cathode of the time projection chamber. From our studies, we conclude that radon-induced backgrounds are sufficiently low to enable a successful NEXT-100 physics program, as the projected rate contribution should not exceed 0.1 counts/yr in the neutrinoless double beta decay sample.  
  Address [Hauptman, J.] Iowa State Univ, Dept Phys & Astron, 12 Phys Hall, Ames, IA 50011 USA, Email: sorel@ific.uv.es  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher (up) Springer Place of Publication Editor  
  Language English Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1029-8479 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes WOS:000448191500001 Approved no  
  Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes  
  Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 3779  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author ATLAS Collaboration (Aaboud, M. et al); Alvarez Piqueras, D.; Bailey, A.J.; Barranco Navarro, L.; Cabrera Urban, S.; Castillo, F.L.; Castillo Gimenez, V.; Cerda Alberich, L.; Costa, M.J.; Escobar, C.; Estrada Pastor, O.; Ferrer, A.; Fiorini, L.; Fullana Torregrosa, E.; Fuster, J.; Garcia, C.; Garcia Navarro, J.E.; Gonzalez de la Hoz, S.; Higon-Rodriguez, E.; Jimenez Pena, J.; Lacasta, C.; Lozano Bahilo, J.J.; Madaffari, D.; Mamuzic, J.; Marti-Garcia, S.; Melini, D.; Miñano, M.; Mitsou, V.A.; Rodriguez Bosca, S.; Rodriguez Rodriguez, D.; Ruiz-Martinez, A.; Salt, J.; Santra, A.; Soldevila, U.; Sanchez, J.; Valero, A.; Valls Ferrer, J.A.; Vos, M. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Search for dark matter in events with a hadronically decaying vector boson and missing transverse momentum in pp collisions at root s=13 TeV with the ATLAS detector Type Journal Article
  Year 2018 Publication Journal of High Energy Physics Abbreviated Journal J. High Energy Phys.  
  Volume 10 Issue 10 Pages 180 - 58pp  
  Keywords Beyond Standard Model; Dark matter; Hadron-Hadron scattering (experiments)  
  Abstract A search for dark matter (DM) particles produced in association with a hadronically decaying vector boson is performed using pp collision data at a centre-of-mass energy of TeV corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 36.1 fb(-1), recorded by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. This analysis improves on previous searches for processes with hadronic decays of W and Z bosons in association with large missing transverse momentum (mono-W/Z searches) due to the larger dataset and further optimization of the event selection and signal region definitions. In addition to the mono-W/Z search, the as yet unexplored hypothesis of a new vector boson Z produced in association with dark matter is considered (mono-Z search). No significant excess over the Standard Model prediction is observed. The results of the mono-W/Z search are interpreted in terms of limits on invisible Higgs boson decays into dark matter particles, constraints on the parameter space of the simplified vector-mediator model and generic upper limits on the visible cross sections for W/Z+DM production. The results of the mono-Z search are shown in the framework of several simplified-model scenarios involving DM production in association with the Z boson.  
  Address [Duvnjak, D.; Jackson, P.; Oliver, J. L.; Petridis, A.; Qureshi, A.; Sharma, A. S.; White, M. J.] Univ Adelaide, Dept Phys, Adelaide, SA, Australia  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher (up) Springer Place of Publication Editor  
  Language English Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1029-8479 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes WOS:000449259900009 Approved no  
  Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes  
  Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 3811  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author NEXT Collaboration (Henriques, C.A.O. et al); Alvarez, V.; Benlloch-Rodriguez, J.M.; Botas, A.; Carcel, S.; Carrion, J.V.; Diaz, J.; Felkai, R.; Kekic, M.; Laing, A.; Lopez-March, N.; Martinez, A.; Martinez-Lema, G.; Muñoz Vidal, J.; Musti, M.; Nebot-Guinot, M.; Novella, P.; Palmeiro, B.; Perez, J.; Querol, M.; Renner, J.; Rodriguez, J.; Romo-Luque, C.; Simon, A.; Sorel, M.; Yahlali, N. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Electroluminescence TPCs at the thermal diffusion limit Type Journal Article
  Year 2019 Publication Journal of High Energy Physics Abbreviated Journal J. High Energy Phys.  
  Volume 01 Issue 1 Pages 027 - 23pp  
  Keywords Dark Matter and Double Beta Decay (experiments); Photon production; Particle correlations and fluctuations; Rare decay  
  Abstract The NEXT experiment aims at searching for the hypothetical neutrinoless double-beta decay from the Xe-136 isotope using a high-purity xenon TPC. Efficient discrimination of the events through pattern recognition of the topology of primary ionisation tracks is a major requirement for the experiment. However, it is limited by the diffusion of electrons. It is known that the addition of a small fraction of a molecular gas to xenon reduces electron diffusion. On the other hand, the electroluminescence (EL) yield drops and the achievable energy resolution may be compromised. We have studied the effect of adding several molecular gases to xenon (CO2, CH4 and CF4) on the EL yield and energy resolution obtained in a small prototype of driftless gas proportional scintillation counter. We have compared our results on the scintillation characteristics (EL yield and energy resolution) with a microscopic simulation, obtaining the diffusion coefficients in those conditions as well. Accordingly, electron diffusion may be reduced from about 10 for pure xenon down to 2.5 using additive concentrations of about 0.05%, 0.2% and 0.02% for CO2, CH4 and CF4, respectively. Our results show that CF4 admixtures present the highest EL yield in those conditions, but very poor energy resolution as a result of huge fluctuations observed in the EL formation. CH4 presents the best energy resolution despite the EL yield being the lowest. The results obtained with xenon admixtures are extrapolated to the operational conditions of the NEXT-100 TPC. CO2 and CH4 show potential as molecular additives in a large xenon TPC. While CO2 has some operational constraints, making it difficult to be used in a large TPC, CH4 shows the best performance and stability as molecular additive to be used in the NEXT-100 TPC, with an extrapolated energy resolution of 0.4% at 2.45 MeV for concentrations below 0.4%, which is only slightly worse than the one obtained for pure xenon. We demonstrate the possibility to have an electroluminescence TPC operating very close to the thermal diffusion limit without jeopardizing the TPC performance, if CO2 or CH4 are chosen as additives.  
  Address [Henriques, C. A. O.; Monteiro, C. M. B.; Freitas, E. D. C.; Mano, R. D. P.; Jorge, M. R.; Fernandes, A. F. M.; Fernandes, L. M. P.; dos Santos, J. M. F.] Univ Coimbra, Phys Dept, LIBPhys, Rua Larga, P-3004516 Coimbra, Portugal, Email: pancho@gian.fis.uc.pt  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher (up) Springer Place of Publication Editor  
  Language English Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1029-8479 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes WOS:000455157300002 Approved no  
  Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes  
  Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 3873  
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