Hans Kraus

Abstract:

Reflection, emission and luminescence spectra of Czochralski grown molybdate crystals, i.e. MgMoO4, CaMoO4 and CdMoO 4 have been investigated over a 8-295 K temperature range using VUV synchrotron radiation. Preliminary interpretation of the spectroscopic properties has been carried out on the basis of present knowledge of the electronic structure and emission properties of these materials. The results of this study support the conclusion that molybdate crystals have good prospect for application in the search for rare events as cryogenic phonon-scintillation detectors. © 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Abstract:

Although it is well known that CaWO4 is a scintillator it is not often used. mainly because it has a slow light response. However, a high Z and a good light output make this crystal a candidate for use in direct dark matter search experiments. The Cryogenic Rare Event Search using Superconducting Thermometers (CRESST II) experiment looks. for hypothetical massive elementary particles called Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs). In an elastic collision of WIMPs with ordinary matter a WIMP transfers part of its energy to a nucleus. Such nuclear recoils are the signals dark matter searches look for. CRESST is using CaWO4 crystals with coincident detection of phonons and scintillation light to suppress radioactive background. Light output and energy resolution of different CaWO4 samples were systematically measured. Best samples have an energy resolution at the Cs-137; line (661 keV) < 8%. As CRESST is a rare event search experiment it has to prevent the background caused by natural radioactivity; therefore, a study of the radiopurity of CaWO4 crystals has been performed. X-ray luminescence properties of crystal samples. in the temperature range 77-500 K, will be presented. (C) 2004 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Abstract:

Although it is well known that CaWO4 is a scintillator it is not often used, mainly because it has a slow light response. However, a high Z and a good light output make this crystal a candidate for use in direct dark matter search experiments. The Cryogenic Rare Event Search using Superconducting Thermometers (CRESST II) experiment looks for hypothetical massive elementary particles called Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs). In an elastic collision of WIMPs with ordinary matter a WIMP transfers part of its energy to a nucleus. Such nuclear recoils are the signals dark matter searches look for. CRESST is using CaWO4 crystals with coincident detection of phonons and scintillation light to suppress radioactive background. Light output and energy resolution of different CaWO4 samples were systematically measured. Best samples have an energy resolution at the 137Cs line (661 keV)<8%. As CRESST is a rare event search experiment it has to prevent the background caused by natural radioactivity; therefore, a study of the radiopurity of CaWO4 crystals has been performed. X-ray luminescence properties of crystal samples, in the temperature range 77-500 K, will be presented. © 2004 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Abstract:

The CRESST Phase II experiment at Gran Sasso is using 300 g scintillating CaWO4 crystals as absorbers for direct WIMP (weakly interactive massive particles) detection. The phonon signal in the CaWO4 crystal is registered in coincidence with the light signal, which is measured with a separate cryogenic light detector. The absorber crystal and the silicon light detector are read out by tungsten superconducting phase transition thermometers (W-SPTs). As a result an active discrimination of the electron recoils against nuclear recoils is achieved. Results on the properties of the detector modules and on the WIMP sensitivity are presented. © 2005 Published by Elsevier B.V.