LUX-ZEPLIN

Abstract:

Results are presented on our latest research, aimed at the development and study of oxide scintillation crystals (ZnWO4, ZnMoO4, PbWO4, PbMoO4, and MgWO4) with high scintillation yield and low intrinsic radioactivity. We report on the improvement of these properties for conventional scintillators, as well as on new promising crystals based on metal tungstates and molybdates. The results are discussed in view of applying these materials in cryogenic experiments searching for dark matter and/or neutrinoless double beta decay. © 2006 IEEE.

Abstract:

In order to optimize sapphire as a cryogenic scintillation-phonon detector for dark matter, Al2 O3 : Ti crystals with different concentrations of doping have been studied using continuous X-ray excitation in the 30-300 K temperature range. Light yields vary by 20% for Ti concentrations between 10 and 1000 ppm at room temperature; they roughly double as the crystals are cooled from room temperature to 45 K. From the analysis of the change in the X-ray luminescence spectra of Al2 O3 with the concentration of Ti, it is concluded that the well-known blue emission of Ti-doped Al2 O3 is due to the radiative decay of F-centers. Recommendations are given for improving the performance of Al2 O3 scintillators. © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract:

Large volume zinc tungstate crystal scintillators with improved scintillation characteristics were produced. Energy resolution and relative light output of samples with various sizes and shapes (cylinders, rectangular, and hexagonal prisms) were investigated. The energy resolutions of ZnWO 4 scintillator modules for the 662 keVγ line of 137Cs were 8.5% for a 1 cm3 sample and 10.7% for the large hexagonal module of dimensions ◇ 40 × 40 mm. A variation of the light output by 7%, depending on direction of observation was found for the 1 cm3 cubic crystal. Afterglow,measured 20 ms after termination of irradiation, was 0.002%. The relative light output of the scintillator and the decay kinetics were studied over the temperature range 7-300 K. The level of radioactive contamination of the ZnWO4 scintillator was determined in the Solotvina Underground Laboratory at a sensitivity of ≈0.1-10 mBq/kg. © 2006 IEEE.