Jorge Molina

Direct search for low mass dark matter particles with CCDs

Abstract A direct dark matter search is performed using fully-depleted high-resistivity CCD detectors. Due to their low electronic readout noise (R.M.S. ∼7 eV) these devices operate with a very low detection threshold of 40 eV, making the search for dark matter particles with low masses (∼5 GeV) possible. The results of an engineering run performed in a shallow underground site are presented, demonstrating the potential of this technology in the low mass region.

Charge coupled devices for detection of coherent neutrino-nucleus scattering

In this article the feasibility of using charge coupled devices (CCD) to detect low-energy neutrinos through their coherent scattering with nuclei is analyzed. The detection of neutrinos through this standard model process has been elusive because of the small energy deposited in such interaction. Typical particle detectors have thresholds of a few keV, and most of the energy deposition expected from coherent scattering is well below this level. The CCD detectors discussed in this paper can operate at a threshold of approximately 30 eV, making them ideal for observing this signal. On a CCD array of 500 g located next to a power nuclear reactor the number of coherent scattering events expected is about 3000 events/year. Our results shows that a detection with a confidence level of 99% can be reached within 16 days of continuous operation; with the current 52 g detector prototype this time lapse extends to five months.

Image representation of flames from data processing of an optical multichannel analyzer spectrometer

The aim of this paper is the analysis of flames by means of a high spectral resolution (OMA spectrometer), which provides information about the spectral intensity of the excited species CH* and C2*. The spectral data resolved in space are used for an image representation resolved in wavelength. The experimental configuration consisted of a premixed methane conical flame.