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

We present weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) search results performed using two approaches of effective field theory from the China Dark Matter Experiment (CDEX), based on the data from both CDEX-1B and CDEX-10 stages. In the nonrelativistic effective field theory approach, both time-integrated and annual modulation analyses were used to set new limits for the coupling of WIMP-nucleon effective operators at 90% confidence level (C.L.) and improve over the current bounds in the low $m_{\chi}$ region. In the chiral effective field theory approach, data from CDEX-10 were used to set an upper limit on WIMP-pion coupling at 90% C.L. We for the first time extended the limit to the $m_{\chi}, Comment: version accepted by Science China-PMA, 8 pages, 8 figures

Neutrino-nucleus elastic scattering ($\nu {\rm A}_{el}$) provides a unique laboratory to study the quantum-mechanical (QM) coherency effects in electroweak interactions. The deviations of the cross-sections from those of completely coherent systems can be quantitatively characterized through a coherency parameter $\alpha ( q^2 )$. The relations between $\alpha$ and the underlying nuclear physics in terms of nuclear form factors are derived. The dependence of cross-section on $\alpha ( q^2 )$ for the various neutrino sources is presented. The $\alpha ( q^2 )$-values are evaluated from the measured data of the COHERENT CsI and Ar experiments. Complete coherency and decoherency conditions are excluded by the CsI data with $p {=} 0.004$ at $q^2 {=} 3.1 {\times} 10^{3} ~ {\rm MeV^2}$ and with $p {=} 0.016$ at $q^2 {=} 2.3 {\times} 10^{3} ~ {\rm MeV^2}$, respectively, verifying that both QM superpositions and nuclear many-body effects contribute to $\nu {\rm A}_{el}$ interactions., Comment: V2 Published Version, 10 pages, 10 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

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

Neutrino-nucleus elastic scattering provides a unique laboratory to study the quantum mechanical coherency effects in electroweak interactions, towards which several experimental programs are being actively pursued. We report results of our quantitative studies on the transitions towards decoherency. A parameter ($\alpha$) is identified to describe the degree of coherency, and its variations with incoming neutrino energy, detector threshold and target nucleus are studied. The ranges of $\alpha$ which can be probed with realistic neutrino experiments are derived, indicating complementarity between projects with different sources and targets. Uncertainties in nuclear physics and in $\alpha$ would constrain sensitivities in probing physics beyond the standard model. The maximum neutrino energies corresponding to $\alpha$>0.95 are derived., Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, 3 tables. V2 -- Published Version

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 electromagnetic properties of neutrinos, which are either trivial or negligible in the context of the Standard Model, can probe new physics and have significant implications in astrophysics and cosmology. The current best direct limits on the neutrino millicharges and magnetic moments are both derived from data taken with germanium detectors with low thresholds at keV levels. In this paper, we discuss in detail a robust, ab initio method: the multiconfiguration relativistic random-phase approximation, that enables us to reliably understand the germanium detector response at the sub-keV level, where atomic many-body physics matters. By using existing data with sub-keV thresholds, limits on the reactor antineutrino's millicharge, magnetic moment, and charge radius squared are derived. The projected sensitivities for next-generation experiments are also given and discussed.

With the advent of detectors with sub-keV sensitivities, atomic ionization has been identified as a promising avenue to probe possible neutrino electromagnetic properties. The interaction cross-sections induced by millicharged neutrinos are evaluated with the ab-initio multi-configuration relativistic random-phase approximation. There is significant enhancement at atomic binding energies compared to that when the electrons are taken as free particles. Positive signals would distinctly manifest as peaks at specific energies with known intensity ratios. Selected reactor neutrino data with germanium detectors at analysis threshold as low as 300 eV are studied. No such signatures are observed, and a combined limit on the neutrino charge fraction of | \numq | < 1.0 X 10^{-12} at 90% confidence level is derived., 5 pages, 4 figures, 1 table ; Published Version as V2

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

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

A search of neutrino magnetic moments was carried out at the Kuo-Sheng Nuclear Power Station at a distance of 28 m from the 2.9 GW reactor core. With a high purity germanium detector of mass 1.06 kg surrounded by scintillating NaI(Tl) and CsI(Tl) crystals as anti-Compton detectors, a detection threshold of 5 keV and a background level of 1 $\cpd$ near threshold were achieved. Details of the reactor neutrino source, experimental hardware, background understanding and analysis methods are presented. Based on 570.7 and 127.8 days of Reactor ON and OFF data, respectively, at an average Reactor ON electron anti-neutrino flux of $\rm{6.4 \times 10^{12} cm^{-2} s^{-1}}$, the limit on the neutrino magnetic moments of $\rm{\munuebar < 7.4 \times 10^{-11} \mub}$ at 90% confidence level was derived. Indirect bounds on the $\nuebar$ radiative decay lifetimes were inferred., 16 pages, 15 figures, 9 tables

High flux of electron neutrinos($\nue$) is produced at nuclear power reactors through the decays of nuclei activated by neutron capture. Realistic simulation studies on the neutron transport and capture at the reactor core were performed. The production of $\chr51$ and $\fe55$ give rise to mono-energetic $\nue$'s at Q-values of 753 keV and 231 keV and fluxes of $8.3 \times 10^{-4}$ and $3.0 \times 10^{-4}$ $\nue$/fission, respectively. Using data from a germanium detector at the Kuo-Sheng Power Plant, we derived direct limits on the $\nue$ magnetic moment and the radiative lifetime of $\mu_{\nu} < 1.3 \times 10^{-8} ~ \mub$ and $\rm{\tau_{\nu} / m_{\nu} > 0.11 s / eV}$ at 90% confidence level (CL), respectively. Indirect bounds on $\rm{\tau_{\nu} / m_{\nu}^3}$ were also inferred. The $\nue$-flux can be enhanced by loading selected isotopes to the reactor core, and the potential applications and achievable statistical accuracies were examined. These include accurate cross-section measurements, studies of mixing angle $\theta_{13}$ and monitoring of plutonium production., Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, 7 tables

The low energy part of the reactor neutrino spectra has not been experimentally measured. Its uncertainties limit the sensitivities in certain reactor neutrino experiments. The origin of these uncertainties are discussed, and the effects on measurements of neutrino interactions with electrons and nuclei are studied. Comparisons are made with existing results. In particular, the discrepancies between previous measurements with Standard Model expectations can be explained by an under-estimation of the low energy reactor neutrino spectra. To optimize the experimental sensitivities, measurements for $\nuebar$-e cross-sections should focus on events with large ($>$1.5 MeV) recoil energy while those for neutrino magnetic moment searches should be based on events $, Comment: 25 pages, 9 figures