F.L.H. Wolfs

First limits on WIMP nuclear recoil signals in ZEPLIN-II: A two-phase xenon detector for dark matter detection

Abstract Results are presented from the first underground data run of ZEPLIN-II, a 31xa0kg two-phase xenon detector developed to observe nuclear recoils from hypothetical weakly interacting massive dark matter particles. Discrimination between nuclear recoils and background electron recoils is afforded by recording both the scintillation and ionisation signals generated within the liquid xenon, with the ratio of these signals being different for the two classes of event. This ratio is calibrated for different incident species using an AmBe neutron source and 60 Co γ-ray sources. From our first 31 live days of running ZEPLIN-II, the total exposure following the application of fiducial and stability cuts was 225xa0kgxa0×xa0days. A background population of radon progeny events was observed in this run, arising from radon emission in the gas purification getters, due to radon daughter ion decays on the surfaces of the walls of the chamber. An acceptance window, defined by the neutron calibration data, of 50% nuclear recoil acceptance between 5xa0keV ee and 20xa0keV ee , had an observed count of 29 events, with a summed expectation of 28.6xa0±xa04.3 γ-ray and radon progeny induced background events. These figures provide a 90% c.l. upper limit to the number of nuclear recoils of 10.4 events in this acceptance window, which converts to a WIMP–nucleon spin-independent cross-section with a minimum of 6.6xa0×xa010 −7 xa0pb following the inclusion of an energy-dependent, calibrated, efficiency. A second run is currently underway in which the radon progeny will be eliminated, thereby removing the background population, with a projected sensitivity of 2xa0×xa010 −7 xa0pb for similar exposures as the first run.

The ZEPLIN-III dark matter detector: Instrument design, manufacture and commissioning

We present details of the technical design, manufacture and testing of the ZEPLIN-III dark matter experiment. ZEPLIN-III is a two-phase xenon detector which measures both the scintillation light and the ionisation charge generated in the liquid by interacting particles and radiation. The instrument design is driven by both the physics requirements and by the technology requirements surrounding the use of liquid xenon. These include considerations of key performance parameters, such as the efficiency of scintillation light collection, restrictions placed on the use of materials to control the inherent radioactivity levels, attainment of high vacuum levels and chemical contamination control. The successful solution has involved a number of novel design and manufacturing features which will be of specific use to future generations of direct dark matter search experiments as they struggle with similar and progressively more demanding requirements.

Measurement of single electron emission in two-phase xenon

We present the first measurements of the electroluminescence response to the emission of single electrons in a two-phase noble gas detector. Single ionization electrons generated in liquid xenon are detected in a thin gas layer during the 31-day background run of the ZEPLIN-II experiment, a two-phase xenon detector for WIMP dark matter searches. Both the pressure dependence and magnitude of the single electron response are in agreement with previous measurements of electroluminescence yield in xenon. We discuss different photoionization processes as possible cause for the sample of single electrons studied in this work. This observation may have implications for the design and operation of future large-scale two-phase systems.

Limits on spin-dependent WIMP-nucleon cross-sections from the first ZEPLIN-II data

The first underground data run of the ZEPLIN-II experiment has set a limit on the nuclear recoil rate in the two-phase xenon detector for direct dark matter searches. In this Letter the results from this run are converted into the limits on spin-dependent WIMP-proton and WIMP-neutron cross-sections. The minimum of the curve for WIMP-neutron cross-section corresponds to 7 × 10−2 pb at a WIMP mass of around 65 GeV.

Au+Au reactions at the AGS: Experiments E866 and E917

Particle production and correlation functions from Au+Au reactions have been measured as a function of both beam energy (2--10.7 AGeV) and impact parameter. These results are used to probe the dynamics of heavy-ion reactions, confront hadronic models over a wide range of conditions and to search for the onset of new phenomena.Particle production and correlation functions from Au+Au reactions have been measured as a function of both beam energy (2-10.7AGeV) and impact parameter. These results are used to probe the dynamics of heavy-ion reactions, confront hadronic models over a wide range of conditions and to search for the onset of new phenomena.

Positron production in heavy ion collisions: Current status of the problem

Narrow peaks have been observed at GSI Darmstadt in the energy spectra of positrons and sum-energy spectra of positron-electron pairs, produced in collisions of very heavy ions. To date, there is no satisfactory explanation of the origin of these lines although many differing models have been proposed. In this contribution, the authors describe the features of a new experiment aimed at the study of the line phenomenon and present the results of their first experiments. The specific goals of their experiment are to clarify the experimental situation regarding the lines through high-resolution, high-statistics data and, by direct measurement of the vector momenta of the peak pairs, to determine their kinematics.

A solenoidal spectrometer for positron-electron pairs produced in heavy-ion collisions

Abstract A new solenoidal spectrometer, designed to study the production mechanism of electrons and positrons in heavy-ion collisions, has been constructed at Argonne National Laboratory. The spectrometer uses a 300 G magnetic field to transport the leptons to two highly segmented silicon arrays that are centered on the solenoid axis, 1.2 m from the target. Positrons are identified by detecting their annihilation radiation with two arrays of position sensitive NaI(Tl) crystals that surround the silicon arrays. A novel design feature of the spectrometer is the ability to measure the angles of emission of the leptons relative to the solenoid axis. The measured response of the apparatus to electrons and positrons is in very good agreement with the calculated response obtained from Monte Carlo simulations.

Particle production at the AGS: an excitation function

Abstract Experiments E866 and E917 at the AGS have measured the differential invariant yields of positive and negative charged kaons from Au+Au collisions at beam kinetic energies in the laboratory of 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10.8 A·GeV. At each beam energy, a multiplicity array is used to select on the centrality of the collision.

R & D for Future ZEPLIN

We propose a new concept for a very low background Dark Matter experiment using multi-ton liquid xenon. The detector consists of two concentric spheres and a charge readout device in the centre. Xenon between the two spheres forms a self-shield and veto device. The inner surface of the centre sphere is coated with CsI to form an internal photocathode with minimum of 2π coverage for any event in the active volume. Photoelectrons from the CsI photocathode drift toward the charge readout micro-structure in the centre of the detector. Both scintillation and ionisation is measured simultaneously for background rejection and 3-D event mapping. In addition to external shielding, the low background is achieved by eliminating PMTs and by using low radioactivity pure materials throughout the detector. We present detailed calculations of the charge readout system and design details. The detector is expected to probe the full SUSY parameter space.