Search

We report constraints on the dark photon effective kinetic mixing parameter (${\kappa}$) with data taken from two ${p}$-type point-contact germanium detectors of the CDEX-10 experiment at the China Jinping Underground Laboratory. The 90\% confidence level upper limits on ${\kappa}$ of solar dark photon from 205.4 kg-day exposure are derived, probing new parameter space with masses (${m_V}$) from 10 to 300 eV/${c^2}$ in direct detection experiments. Considering dark photon as the cosmological dark matter, limits at 90\% confidence level with ${m_V}$ from 0.1 to 4.0 keV/${c^2}$ are set from 449.6 kg-day data, with a minimum of ${\rm{\kappa=1.3 \times 10^{-15}}}$ at ${\rm{m_V=200\ eV/c^2}}$., Comment: 5 pages, 6 figures

The p-type point-contact germanium detectors have been adopted for light dark matter WIMP searches and the studies of low energy neutrino physics. These detectors exhibit anomalous behavior to events located at the surface layer. The previous spectral shape method to identify these surface events from the bulk signals relies on spectral shape assumptions and the use of external calibration sources. We report an improved method in separating them by taking the ratios among different categories of in situ event samples as calibration sources. Data from CDEX-1 and TEXONO experiments are re-examined using the ratio method. Results are shown to be consistent with the spectral shape method., Comment: 29 pages, 16 figures

Germanium detectors with sub-keV sensitivities offer a unique opportunity to search for light WIMP Dark Matter and axion-like particles. We will highlight our results and status of CDEX dark matter experiment at the China Jinping Underground Laboratory (CJPL) in China. The detector R&D programs which allow us to experimentally probe this new energy window will be discussed, especially the new bulk/surface events separation scheme. Recent results from axion searches, as well as results from dark matter searches will be described. Status of the construction of CJPL-II will be presented.

We report results on the searches of weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) with sub-GeV masses ($m_{\chi}$) via WIMP-nucleus spin-independent scattering with Migdal effect incorporated. Analysis on time-integrated (TI) and annual modulation (AM) effects on CDEX-1B data are performed, with 737.1 kg$\cdot$day exposure and 160 eVee threshold for TI analysis, and 1107.5 kg$\cdot$day exposure and 250 eVee threshold for AM analysis. The sensitive windows in $m_{\chi}$ are expanded by an order of magnitude to lower DM masses with Migdal effect incorporated. New limits on $\sigma_{\chi N}^{\rm SI}$ at 90\% confidence level are derived as $2\times$10$^{-32}\sim7\times$10$^{-35}$ $\rm cm^2$ for TI analysis at $m_{\chi}\sim$ 50$-$180 MeV/$c^2$, and $3\times$10$^{-32}\sim9\times$10$^{-38}$ $\rm cm^2$ for AM analysis at $m_{\chi}\sim$75 MeV/$c^2-$3.0 GeV/$c^2$., Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures

Germanium detectors with sub-keV sensitivities can probe low-mass WIMP Dark Matter. This experimental approach is pursued at Kuo-Sheng Neutrino Laboratory (KSNL) in Taiwan and at China Jinping Underground Laboratory (CJPL) in China via TEXONO and CDEX programs, respectively. The highlights of R&D efforts on point contact germanium detectors and in particular the differentiation of surface and bulk events by pulse shape analysis are described. The latest results on WIMP-nucleon scattering cross-sections are also presented. Some of the allowed parameter space implied by other experiments are probed and excluded.

Germanium detectors with sub-keV sensitivities open a window to search for low-mass WIMP dark matter. The latest limit on spin-independent couplings from the TEXONO experiment at the Kuo-Sheng Reactor Neutrino Laboratory is reported. Highlights of our R&D program, as well as the status and plans are discussed.

The article describes the research program towards an experiment to observe coherent scattering between neutrinos and the nucleus at the power reactor. The motivations of studying this process are surveyed. In particular, a threshold of 100–200 eV has been achieved with an ultra-low-energy germanium detector prototype. This detection capability at low energy can also be adapted for searches of Cold Dark Matter in the low-mass region as well as to enhance the sensitivities in the study of neutrino magnetic moments.

We report results of a search for light weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP) dark matter from the CDEX-1 experiment at the China Jinping Underground Laboratory (CJPL). Constraints on WIMP-nucleon spin-independent (SI) and spin-dependent (SD) couplings are derived with a physics threshold of 160 eVee, from an exposure of 737.1 kg-days. The SI and SD limits extend the lower reach of light WIMPs to 2 GeV and improve over our earlier bounds at WIMP mass less than 6 GeV., Comment: 10 pages, 10 figures

The p-type point-contact germanium detectors are novel techniques offering kg-scale radiation sensors with sub-keV sensitivities. They have been used for light Dark Matter WIMPs searches and may have potential applications in neutrino physics. There are, however, anomalous surface behaviour which needs to be characterized and understood. We describe the methods and results of a research program whose goals are to identify the bulk and surface events via software pulse shape analysis techniques, and to devise calibration schemes to evaluate the selection efficiency factors. Efficiencies-corrected background spectra from the low-background facility at Kuo-Sheng Neutrino Laboratory are derived., 9 pages, 10 figures, 2 tables; Published Version as V2

Germanium ionization detectors with sensitivities as low as 100 eVee (electron-equivalent energy) open new windows for studies on neutrino and dark matter physics. The relevant physics subjects are summarized. The detectors have to measure physics signals whose amplitude is comparable to that of pedestal electronic noise. To fully exploit this new detector technique, various experimental issues including quenching factors, energy reconstruction and calibration, signal triggering and selection as well as evaluation of their associated efficiencies have to be attended. The efforts and results of a research program to address these challenges are presented., Comment: 18 pages, 18 figures, 3 table; v3 -- Published Version

The CDEX Collaboration has been established for direct detection of light dark matter particles, using ultra-low energy threshold p-type point-contact germanium detectors, in China JinPing underground Laboratory (CJPL). The first 1 kg point-contact germanium detector with a sub-keV energy threshold has been tested in a passive shielding system located in CJPL. The outputs from both the point-contact p+ electrode and the outside n+ electrode make it possible to scan the lower energy range of less than 1 keV and at the same time to detect the higher energy range up to 3 MeV. The outputs from both p+ and n+ electrode may also provide a more powerful method for signal discrimination for dark matter experiment. Some key parameters, including energy resolution, dead time, decay times of internal X-rays, and system stability, have been tested and measured. The results show that the 1 kg point-contact germanium detector, together with its shielding system and electronics, can run smoothly with good performances. This detector system will be deployed for dark matter search experiments., 6 pages, 8 figures

Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs) are the candidates of dark matter in our universe. Up to now any direct interaction of WIMP with nuclei has not been observed yet. The exclusion limits of the spin-independent cross section of WIMP-nucleon which have been experimentally obtained is about 10^{-7}pb at high mass region and only 10^{-5}pb} at low mass region. China Jin-Ping underground laboratory CJPL is the deepest underground lab in the world and provides a very promising environment for direct observation of dark matter. The China Dark Matter Experiment (CDEX) experiment is going to directly detect the WIMP flux with high sensitivity in the low mass region. Both CJPL and CDEX have achieved a remarkable progress in recent two years. The CDEX employs a point-contact germanium semi-conductor detector PCGe whose detection threshold is less than 300 eV. We report the measurement results of Muon flux, monitoring of radioactivity and Radon concentration carried out in CJPL, as well describe the structure and performance of the 1 kg PCGe detector CDEX-1 and 10kg detector array CDEX-10 including the detectors, electronics, shielding and cooling systems. Finally we discuss the physics goals of the CDEX-1, CDEX-10 and the future CDEX-1T detectors., 36pages,39 figures

Germanium detectors with sub-keV sensitivities [1, 2, 3] offer a unique opportunity to study neutrino interactions and properties [4] as well as to search for light WIMP Dark Matter [5, 6]. The TEXONO and CDEX Collaborations have been pursuing this research program at the Kuo-Sheng Neutrino Laboratory in Taiwan and in the China Jinping Underground Laboratory in China. We will present highlights of the detector R&D program which allow us to experimental probe this new energy window. The results, status and plans of our neutrino physics program will be discussed, with focus on the quest on neutrino-nucleus coherent scattering.

An energy threshold of (220+-10) eV was achieved at an efficiency of 50% with a four-channel ultra-low-energy germanium detector each with an active mass of 5 g. This provides a unique probe to WIMP dark matter with mass below 10 GeV. With a data acquisition live time of 0.338 kg-day at the Kuo-Sheng Laboratory, constraints on WIMPs in the galactic halo were derived. The limits improve over previous results on both the spin-independent WIMP-nucleon and the spin-dependent WIMP-neutron cross-sections for WIMP mass between 3-6 GeV. Sensitivities for full-scale experiments are projected. This detector technique makes the unexplored sub-keV energy window accessible for new neutrino and dark matter experiments. Two appendices are included after Version-3 to address questions raised on trigger and selection efficiencies as well as other issues., Main Text: 5 pages, 1 table, 6 figures ; V1 -- spin-independent bounds ; V2 -- include spin-dependent bounds ; V3 -- Two appendices added to address questions raised ; V4 -- fixed technical errors

We present in the poster the status of an R&D program towards the goal of an ultra-low-energy germanium (ULEGe) detector at threshold of 100 eV with an active target mass on the order of 1 kg and a background near threshold at the range of 1 event/kg-keV-day [1]. The scientific objectives include the studies of neutrino-nucleus coherent scattering and neutrino magnetic moments, as well as WIMP dark matter searches at the low WIMP mass range. Such detectors would also have potential implications in reactor monitoring for security purposes. A threshold of 220 eV has been demonstrated with a prototype 4-channel ULEGe array with a total mass of 20 g [2]. Competitive limits have been derived for WIMP-nucleon couplings for WIMPs with mass less than 10 GeV. Scale-up plans are described.