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Antonova, M., Capo, J., Cervera, A., Fernandez, P., Garcia-Peris, M. A., & Pons, X. (2026). Millikelvin-precision temperature sensing for advanced cryogenic detectors. Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res. A, 1082, 171062–13pp.
Abstract: Precise temperature monitoring-to the level of a few millikelvin-is essential for the operation of large-scale cryostats requiring a recirculation system. In particular, the performance of Liquid Argon Time Projection Chambers-such as those planned for the DUNE experiment-strongly relies on proper argon purification and mixing, which can be characterized by a sufficiently dense grid of high-precision temperature probes. In this article, we describe the key components of a novel temperature monitoring system developed for a prototype of the DUNE experiment. In particular, a new technique for the cross-calibration of Resistance Temperature Detectors in cryogenic liquids will be presented in detail. This calibration has enabled the validation and optimization of the system's components, achieving an unprecedented relative precision better than 3 mK.
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Garcfa-Barcelo, J. M., Melcon, A. A., Cuendis, S. A., Diaz-Morcillo, A., Gimeno, B., Kanareykin, A., et al. (2023). On the Development of New Tuning and Inter-Coupling Techniques Using Ferroelectric Materials in the Detection of Dark Matter Axions. IEEE Access, 11, 30360–30372.
Abstract: Tuning is an essential requirement for the search of dark matter axions employing haloscopes since its mass is not known yet to the scientific community. At the present day, most haloscope tuning systems are based on mechanical devices which can lead to failures due to the complexity of the environment in which they are used. However, the electronic tuning making use of ferroelectric materials can provide a path that is less vulnerable to mechanical failures and thus complements and expands current tuning systems. In this work, we present and design a novel technique for using the ferroelectric Potassium Tantalate (KTaO3 or KTO) material as a tuning element in haloscopes based on coupled microwave cavities. In this line, the structures used in the Relic Axion Detector Exploratory Setup (RADES) group are based on several cavities that are connected by metallic irises, which act as interresonator coupling elements. In this article, we also show how to use these KTaO3 films as interresonator couplings between cavities, instead of inductive or capacitive metallic windows used in the past. These two techniques represent a crucial upgrade over the current systems employed in the dark matter axions community, achieving a tuning range of 2.23% which represents a major improvement as compared to previous works (<0.1%) for the same class of tuning systems. The theoretical and simulated results shown in this work demonstrate the interest of the novel techniques proposed for the incorporation of this kind of ferroelectric media in multicavity resonant haloscopes in the search for dark matter axions.
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Soleti, S. R., Dietz, P., Esteve, R., Garcia-Barrena, J., Herrero,, Lopez, F., et al. (2026). CRYSP: a total-body PET based on cryogenic cesium iodide crystals. Phys. Med. Biol., 71(2), 025001–18pp.
Abstract: Objective. Total body positron emission tomography (TBPET) scanners have the potential to substantially reduce both acquisition time and administered radiation dose, owing to their high sensitivity. However, their widespread clinical adoption is hindered by the high cost of currently available systems. This work explores the use of pure cesium iodide (CsI) monolithic crystals operated at cryogenic temperatures as a cost-effective alternative to rare-earth scintillators for TBPET. Approach. We investigate the performance of pure CsI crystals operated at cryogenic temperatures (similar to 100 K), where they achieve a light yield of approximately 105 photons/MeV. The implications for energy resolution, spatial resolution (including depth-of-interaction (d.o.i.) capability), and timing performance are assessed, with a view toward their integration into a TBPET system. Main results. Cryogenic CsI crystals demonstrated energy resolution below 7% and coincidence time resolution (CTR) at the nanosecond level, despite their relatively slow scintillation decay time. A Monte Carlo simulation of monolithic CsI crystals shows that a millimeter-scale spatial resolution in all three dimensions can be obtained. These characteristics indicate that high-performance PET imaging is achievable with this technology. Significance. A TBPET scanner based on cryogenic CsI monolithic crystals could combine excellent imaging performance with significantly reduced detector costs, enabling broader accessibility and accelerating the adoption of TBPET in both clinical and research settings.
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