Hans Kraus

Abstract:

We present results on WIMP dark matter interaction, obtained using cryogenic phonon-scintillation detectors. The targets are CaWO4 scintillating crystals with phonon sensors, while scintillation is detected with an associated cryogenic light detector. The combination of phonon and light signals leads to a strong suppression of nonnuclear recoil backgrounds. Results obtained before the upgrade of CRESST are presented and a status report on the upgrade itself is given.

Abstract:

EURECA (European Underground Rare Event Calorimeter Array) is a new project, searching for dark matter, with largely the present groups of the CRESST and EDELWEISS experiments and already a few new groups. The aim is to explore scalar cross sections in the 10(-9) - 10(-10) picobarn region with a target mass of up to one tonne. A major advantage of EURECA is our planned use of more that just one target material (multi target experiment for WIMP identification). In preparation for this large-scale experiment, R&D for EURECA is provided through the current phases of CRESST and EDELWEISS.

Abstract:

The CRESST experiment is designed to search for weakly interacting massive particle dark matter with cryogenic detectors. CRESST II will use up to 33 CaWO(4) crystals with a total mass of approximately 10 kg. These many detectors require a readout system based on 66-channel superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs). In this article we report on the development of a modular superconducting connector for the 66-channel SQUID readout circuit. We show that the technique developed reliably produces superconducting contacts.

Abstract:

Scheelite CdMoO4 and wolframite eCdWO(4):MO (0.04-0.4wt%) single crystals were studied using the time-resolved spectroscopy under UV excitation over a temperature range of 1.85-300K. The threshold energies for the creation of free charge carriers were measured using the method of photostimulated luminescence. The decay kinetics of the main emission in CdMoO4 and the molybdenum-related emission in CdWO4:MO was studied and the parameters of the triplet excited states of molybdenum-related oxyanions were calculated. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.