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Development of Low-Threshold Detectors for Low-Mass Dark Matter Searches with a p-Type Germanium Detector Operated at Cryogenic Temperature

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Abstract

This study investigates new technology for enhancing the sensitivity of low-mass dark matter detection by analyzing charge transport in a p-type germanium detector at 5.2 K. To achieve low-threshold detectors, precise calculations of the binding energies of dipole and cluster dipole states, as well as the cross sections of trapping affected by the electric field, are essential. The detector was operated in two modes: depleted at 77 K before cooling to 5.2 K and cooled directly to 5.2 K with various bias voltages. Our results indicate that the second mode produces lower binding energies and suggests different charge states under varying operating modes. Notably, our measurements of the dipole and cluster dipole state binding energies at zero fields were \(8.716\pm 0.435\) meV and \(6.138\pm 0.308\) meV, respectively. These findings have strong implications for the development of low-threshold detectors for detecting low-mass dark matter in the future.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Mark Amman for providing instructions on how to construct planar detectors. We also acknowledge the contribution of a test cryostat from the Nuclear Science Division of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. This research was funded in part by NSF OISE 1743790, DE-SC0004768, and a South Dakota governor’s research center.

Funding

Department of Energy of the United States, DE-SC0004768 and National Science Foundation of the United States, NSF OISE 17437980.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of South Dakota, Vermillion, 57069, SD, USA

    Mathbar Singh Raut, Dongming Mei, Sanjay Bhattarai, Rajendra Panth, Kyler Kooi, Hao Mei & Guojian Wang

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  1. Mathbar Singh Raut
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  2. Dongming Mei
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  3. Sanjay Bhattarai
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  4. Rajendra Panth
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  5. Kyler Kooi
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  6. Hao Mei
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  7. Guojian Wang
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Contributions

Mr. Mathbar Raut played an integral role in conducting measurements, performing data analysis, and drafting the initial version of the paper. Prof. Dongming Mei, who led the project, was instrumental in developing experimental ideas and provided crucial supervision during the data collection and analysis phases. His vast experience in the field was invaluable in ensuring the accuracy and quality of our research. Additionally, he revised the manuscript, making it comprehensive and concise. Mr. Sanjay Bhattarai was also a key member of the team, participating in the data analysis and providing valuable insights that helped refine our findings. Dr. Rajendra Panth, who fabricated the detector and created the analysis framework, played a critical role in ensuring the validity and reliability of our results. Mr. Kyler Kooi established the pulse tube refrigerator and ensured the proper functioning of the data acquisition system. Dr. Hao Mei and Dr. Guojian Wang provided the high-quality detector-grade crystals that were grown at USD.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Dongming Mei.

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Raut, M.S., Mei, D., Bhattarai, S. et al. Development of Low-Threshold Detectors for Low-Mass Dark Matter Searches with a p-Type Germanium Detector Operated at Cryogenic Temperature. J Low Temp Phys 212, 138–152 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10909-023-02979-x

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