Search

Recent discovery of neutral bremsstrahlung (NBrS) mechanism of electroluminescence (EL) in noble gases in two-phase detectors for dark matter searches has led to a prediction that NBrS EL should be present in noble liquids as well. A rigorous theory of NBrS EL in noble liquids was developed accordingly in the framework of Cohen-Leckner and Atrazhev formalism. It has been recently followed by the first experimental observation of NBrS EL in liquid argon, which however deviates significantly from the previous theory. Given these results, we revise previous theoretical calculations of EL NBrS in noble liquids to be consistent with experiment. In particular, NBrS EL yield and spectra were calculated in this work for argon, krypton and xenon with momentum-transfer cross section of electron scattering (instead of energy-transfer one) being used for calculation of NBrS cross section. The results for light noble liquids, helium and neon, are also reexamined., Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:2305.08084

Our recent studies of electroluminescence (EL) properties in two-phase argon detectors for dark matter searches have revealed the presence of unusual delayed pulses in the EL signal in the form of two slow components with time constants of about 5 and 50 $\mu$s. These components were shown to be present in the charge signal itself, which clearly indicates that drifting electrons are temporarily trapped on two states of metastable negative argon ions which have never been observed before. In this work, using the pressure dependence of the ratio of slow component contributions measured in experiment, it is deduced that these states are those of two types of metastable negative molecular ions, $\mathrm{Ar}_2^{*-}(b \ ^4\Sigma_u^-)$ and $\mathrm{Ar}_2^{*-}(a \ ^4\Sigma_g^+)$ for the higher and lower energy level respectively., Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures

The effect of proportional electroluminescence (EL) is used to record the primary ionization signal (S2) in the gas phase of two-phase argon detectors for dark matter particle (WIMP) searches and low-energy neutrino experiments. Our previous studies of EL time properties revealed the presence of two unusual slow components in S2 signal of two-phase argon detector, with time constants of about 4-5 $\mu$s and 50 $\mu$s. The puzzle of slow components is that their time constants and contributions to the overall signal increase with electric field (starting from a certain threshold), which cannot be explained by any of the known mechanisms of photon and electron emission in two-phase media. There are indications that these slow components result from delayed electrons, temporarily trapped during their drift in the EL gap on metastable negative argon ions of yet unknown nature. In this work, this hypothesis is confirmed by studying the time properties of electroluminescence in a Thick Gas Electron Multiplier (THGEM) coupled to the EL gap of two-phase argon detector. In particular, an unusual slow component in EL signal, similar to that observed in the EL gap, was observed in THGEM itself. In addition, with the help of THGEM operated in electron multiplication mode, the slow component was observed directly in the charge signal, confirming the effect of trapped electrons in S2 signal. These results will help to unravel the puzzle of slow components in two-phase argon detectors and thus to understand the background in low-mass WIMP searches., Comment: 11 pages, 14 figures

A recent discovery of additional mechanism of electroluminescence (EL) in noble gases due to the neutral bremsstrahlung (NBrS) effect led to a prediction that NBrS EL should be present in noble liquids as well. A theoretical model of NBrS EL in noble liquids was developed accordingly in the frameworks of Cohen-Lekner and Atrazhev. In this work, we confirm this prediction: for the first time, visible-range EL has been observed in liquid argon at electric fields reaching 90~kV/cm, using Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) and Thick GEM (THGEM) structures. Absolute light yields of the EL were measured and found to be in excellent agreement with the theory, provided that the momentum-transfer cross section of electron scattering is used for calculation of NBrS cross section (instead of the energy-transfer one)., Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures

We have developed and successfully tested a low-pressure Time Projection Chamber (TPC) with Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) readout for Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS). AMS facility in Novosibirsk has a problem of separating isobar ions of different chemical elements that have the same atomic mass. The typical example is radioactive isotopes 10Be and 10B that are used to date geological objects at a time scale of ten million years. To solve this problem, a new ion identification technique, namely that based on measuring both ion track ranges and ion energies in low-pressure TPCs with GEM readout, has been developed. This technique is proposed to be applied in AMS for dating geological objects, namely for geochronology of Cenozoic era. In this work, we developed a new larger version of the TPC with a dedicated thin silicon nitride window for an efficient passage of ions. The TPC characteristics were studied in isobutane at low pressures using alpha particle sources. In addition, the use of GEM instead of THGEM has been shown to substantially improve the energy resolution at a nominal pressure (50 torr). Using these results and SRIM code simulations, it is shown that isobaric boron and beryllium ions can be effectively separated at AMS, providing efficient dating on a scale of ten million years. This technique will be applied in the AMS facility in Novosibirsk in the near future.

Dark matter lighter than 10 GeV/c$^2$ encompasses a promising range of candidates. A conceptual design for a new detector, DarkSide-LowMass, is presented, based on the DarkSide-50 detector and progress toward DarkSide-20k, optimized for a low-threshold electron-counting measurement. Sensitivity to light dark matter is explored for various potential energy thresholds and background rates. These studies show that DarkSide-LowMass can achieve sensitivity to light dark matter down to the solar neutrino floor for GeV-scale masses and significant sensitivity down to 10 MeV/c$^2$ considering the Migdal effect or interactions with electrons. Requirements for optimizing the detector's sensitivity are explored, as are potential sensitivity gains from modeling and mitigating spurious electron backgrounds that may dominate the signal at the lowest energies.

Proportional electroluminescence (EL) in noble gases is a physical process routinely used in two-phase (liquid-gas) detectors for low-energy astroparticle-physics experiments. In this work, the time properties of visible-light EL in two-phase argon detectors have been systematically studied for the first time. In particular, two unusual slow components in the EL signal, with their contributions and time constants increasing with electric field, were observed. This puzzling property is not expected in any of the known mechanisms of photon and electron emission in two-phase media. Time constants of these components is about 4-5 $\mu$s and 50 $\mu$s. In addition, a specific threshold behavior of the slow components was revealed: they emerged at a threshold in reduced electric field of 4.8 $\pm$ 0.2 Td regardless of the gas phase density, which is about 1 Td above the onset of standard (excimer) EL. There is a conspicuous similarity between this threshold and reduced field threshold of EL in NIR occurring via higher atomic excited states Ar$^{*}(3p^{5}4p)$. An unexpected temperature dependence of slow components was also observed: their contribution decreased with temperature, practically disappearing at room temperature. We show that the puzzling properties of slow components can be explained in the framework of hypothesis that these are produced in the charge signal itself due to trapping of drifting electrons on metastable negative argon ions., Comment: 13 pages, 18 figures

The nature of dark matter and properties of neutrinos are among the most pressing issues in contemporary particle physics. The dual-phase xenon time-projection chamber is the leading technology to cover the available parameter space for Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs), while featuring extensive sensitivity to many alternative dark matter candidates. These detectors can also study neutrinos through neutrinoless double-beta decay and through a variety of astrophysical sources. A next-generation xenon-based detector will therefore be a true multi-purpose observatory to significantly advance particle physics, nuclear physics, astrophysics, solar physics, and cosmology. This review article presents the science cases for such a detector., Comment: 77 pages, 40 figures, 1262 references

In liquid argon TPCs for dark matter search and neutrino detection experiments, primary scintillation light is used as a prompt signal of particle scattering, being intensively produced in the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) due to excimer emission mechanism. On the other hand, there were indications on the production of visible-light emission in liquid argon, albeit at a much lower intensity, the origin of which is still not clear. The closely related issue is visible-light emission in liquid argon doped with methane, the interest in which is due to the possible use in neutron veto detectors for those experiments. In this work we study in detail the properties of such light emission in pure liquid argon and its mixtures with methane. In particular, the absolute photon yield of visible-light emission in pure liquid argon was measured to be about 200 and 90 photon/MeV for X-rays and alpha particles respectively. In liquid argon doped with methane the photon yield dropped down significantly, by about an order of magnitude at a methane molar content varying from 0.01 to 1%, and then almost did not change when further increasing the methane content up to 10%., Comment: 22 pages, 15 figures, 3 tables

Proportional electroluminescence (EL) is the physical effect used in two-phase dark matter detectors, to optically record in the gas phase the ionization signal produced by particle scattering in the liquid phase. In our previous works the presence of a new EL mechanism in noble gases, namely that of neutral bremsstrahlung (NBrS), was demonstrated both theoretically and experimentally, in addition to the ordinary EL mechanism due to excimer emission. In this work we show that the similar theoretical approach can apply to noble liquids, namely to liquid helium, neon, argon, krypton and xenon. In particular, the photon yields and spectra for NBrS EL in noble liquids have for the first time been calculated, using the electron energy and transport parameters obtained in the framework of Cohen-Lekner and Atrazhev theory. The relevance of the results obtained to the development of noble liquid detectors for dark matter searches and neutrino experiments is discussed., Comment: 7 pages, 6 figures

Proportional electroluminescence (EL) is the physical effect used in two-phase detectors for dark matter searches, to optically record (in the gas phase) the ionization signal produced by particle scattering in the liquid phase. In our previous work the presence of a new EL mechanism, namely that of neutral bremsstrahlung (NBrS), was demonstrated in two-phase argon detectors both theoretically and experimentally, in addition to the ordinary EL mechanism due to excimer emission. In this work the similar theoretical approach is applied to all noble gases, i.e. overall to helium, neon, argon, krypton and xenon, to calculate the EL yields and spectra both for NBrS and excimer EL. The relevance of the results obtained to the development of two-phase dark matter detectors is discussed., Comment: 14 pages, 14 figures, 1 table

The Aria project consists of a plant, hosting a 350 m cryogenic isotopic distillation column, the tallest ever built, which is currently in the installation phase in a mine shaft at Carbosulcis S.p.A., Nuraxi-Figus (SU), Italy. Aria is one of the pillars of the argon dark-matter search experimental program, lead by the Global Argon Dark Matter Collaboration. Aria was designed to reduce the isotopic abundance of $^{39}$Ar, a $\beta$-emitter of cosmogenic origin, whose activity poses background and pile-up concerns in the detectors, in the argon used for the dark-matter searches, the so-called Underground Argon (UAr). In this paper, we discuss the requirements, design, construction, tests, and projected performance of the plant for the isotopic cryogenic distillation of argon. We also present the successful results of isotopic cryogenic distillation of nitrogen with a prototype plant, operating the column at total reflux.

Future liquid-argon DarkSide-20k and ARGO detectors, designed for direct dark matter search, will be sensitive also to core-collapse supernova neutrinos, via coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering. This interaction channel is flavor-insensitive with a high-cross section, enabling for a high-statistics neutrino detection with target masses of $\sim$50~t and $\sim$360~t for DarkSide-20k and ARGO, respectively. Thanks to the low-energy threshold of $\sim$0.5~keV$_{nr}$ achievable by exploiting the ionization channel, DarkSide-20k and ARGO have the potential to discover supernova bursts throughout our galaxy and up to the Small Magellanic Cloud, respectively, assuming a 11-M$_{\odot}$ progenitor star. We report also on the sensitivity to the neutronization burst, whose electron neutrino flux is suppressed by oscillations when detected via charged current and elastic scattering. Finally, the accuracies in the reconstruction of the average and total neutrino energy in the different phases of the supernova burst, as well as its time profile, are also discussed, taking into account the expected background and the detector response., Comment: 21 pages, 8 figures

Electroluminescence and electron avalanching are the physical effects used in two-phase argon and xenon detectors for dark mater search and neutrino detection, to amplify the primary ionization signal directly in cryogenic noble-gas media. We review the concepts of such light and charge signal amplification, including a combination thereof, both in the gas and in the liquid phase. Puzzling aspects of the physics of electroluminescence and electron avalanching in two-phase detectors are explained and detection techniques based on these effects are described., Comment: 30 pages, 33 figures

Neutron veto detector based on liquid scintillator containing hydrogen atoms is an integral part of any underground experiment for dark matter search. So far, a flammable mixture of liquid hydrocarbons was used as a liquid scintillator in such detectors. A safe alternative might be a liquid scintillator based on liquid argon doped with methane. In this work, we have studied the primary scintillations in pure liquid argon and its mixtures with methane, the CH4 content varying from 100 ppm to 5%. The primary scintillations have for the first time been observed in liquid argon doped with methane, in the visible and near infrared range, and their relative light yields have been measured as a function of the CH4 content., Comment: 10 pages, 6 figures. Presented at Instrumentation for Colliding Beam Physics Conference (INSTR20)

Proportional electroluminescence (EL) in noble gases is used in two-phase detectors for dark matter search to record ionization signals in the gas phase induced by particle scattering in the liquid phase (S2 signals). In this work, the EL pulse-shapes in a two-phase argon detector have for the first time been studied systematically in a wide range of reduced electric field, varying from 3 to 9 Td. The pulse-shapes were studied at different readout configurations and spectral ranges: using cryogenic PMTs and SiPMs, with and without a wavelength shifter (WLS), in the VUV and visible range. We observed the fast component and two unusual slow components, with time constants of about 5 $\mu$s and 40 $\mu$s. The unusual characteristic property of slow components was that their contribution and time constants increased with electric field., Comment: 18 pages, 14 figures, 1 equation. Proceedings paper of the INSTR20 conference

Proportional electroluminescence (EL) in noble gases is used in two-phase detectors for dark matter searches to record (in the gas phase) the ionization signal induced by particle scattering in the liquid phase. The "standard" EL mechanism is considered to be due to noble gas excimer emission in the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV). In addition, there are two alternative mechanisms, producing light in the visible and near infrared (NIR) ranges. The first is due to bremsstrahlung of electrons scattered on neutral atoms ("neutral bremsstrahlung", NBrS). The second, responsible for electron avalanche scintillation in the NIR at higher electric fields, is due to transitions between excited atomic states. In this work, we have for the first time demonstrated two alternative techniques of the optical readout of two-phase argon detectors, in the visible and NIR range, using a silicon photomultiplier matrix and electroluminescence due to either neutral bremsstrahlung or avalanche scintillation. The amplitude yield and position resolution were measured for these readout techniques, which allowed to assess the detection threshold for electron and nuclear recoils in two-phase argon detectors for dark matter searches. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first practical application of the NBrS effect in detection science., Comment: 26 pages, 22 figures, 3 tables

Large liquid argon detectors offer one of the best avenues for the detection of galactic weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) via their scattering on atomic nuclei. The liquid argon target allows exquisite discrimination between nuclear and electron recoil signals via pulse-shape discrimination of the scintillation signals. Atmospheric argon (AAr), however, has a naturally occurring radioactive isotope, $^{39}$Ar, a $\beta$ emitter of cosmogenic origin. For large detectors, the atmospheric $^{39}$Ar activity poses pile-up concerns. The use of argon extracted from underground wells, deprived of $^{39}$Ar, is key to the physics potential of these experiments. The DarkSide-20k dark matter search experiment will operate a dual-phase time projection chamber with 50 tonnes of radio-pure underground argon (UAr), that was shown to be depleted of $^{39}$Ar with respect to AAr by a factor larger than 1400. Assessing the $^{39}$Ar content of the UAr during extraction is crucial for the success of DarkSide-20k, as well as for future experiments of the Global Argon Dark Matter Collaboration (GADMC). This will be carried out by the DArT in ArDM experiment, a small chamber made with extremely radio-pure materials that will be placed at the centre of the ArDM detector, in the Canfranc Underground Laboratory (LSC) in Spain. The ArDM LAr volume acts as an active veto for background radioactivity, mostly $\gamma$-rays from the ArDM detector materials and the surrounding rock. This article describes the DArT in ArDM project, including the chamber design and construction, and reviews the background required to achieve the expected performance of the detector., Comment: 13 pages, 8 figures. Corresponding author: E. S\'anchez Garc\'ia

A new technique for ion identification in Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) has been proposed by measuring the ion track ranges using a low-pressure TPC. As a proof of principle, a low-pressure TPC with charge readout using a THGEM multiplier was developed. The tracks of alpha particles from various radioactive sources were successfully recorded in the TPC. The track ranges were measured with a high accuracy, reaching the 2% resolution level. Using these results and the SRIM code simulation, it is shown that the isobaric boron and beryllium ions can be effectively separated at ten sigma level. It is expected that this technique will be applied in the AMS facility in Novosibirsk for dating geological objects, in particular for the geochronology of Cenozoic Era., Comment: 8 pages, 13 figures, 2 tables. Short paper version will be published in Nucl. Instr. Meth. A

One of the main features of two-phase detectors with electroluminescence (EL) gap being developed in our laboratory for dark matter search is the extensive use of THGEMs (Thick Gas Electron Multipliers). In various versions of the detector, the THGEMs are used as electrodes in the gas and liquid phases to form the drift, electron emission and EL regions, as well as for avalanche amplification of a signal in the gas phase. In this work the simulations of the electric field and electron transport through such THGEM electrodes were performed. In the liquid phase, these simulations allowed to determine the optimal parameters, such as the hole diameter of THGEM and applied voltage across it, that can provide effective transmission of the electrons from the drift region to that of the EL gap. In the gas phase, the effect of the THGHEM voltage on the electric field uniformity in the EL gap was studied., Comment: 7 pages, 11 figures, 1 table

We further study the effect of neutral bremsstrahlung (NBrS) in two-phase argon electroluminescence (EL), revealed recently in [1]. The absolute EL yield due to NBrS effect, in the visible and NIR range, was remeasured in pure gaseous argon in the two-phase mode, using a two-phase detector with EL gap read out directly by cryogenic PMTs and SiPMs. Possible applications of the NBrS effect in detection science are discussed, including those in two-phase dark matter detectors., Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures, presented at VCI2019 conference, to be published in NIM A

At present, a two-phase argon detector is being developed in our laboratory for dark matter search and low-energy neutrino experiments. To calibrate its energy scale a $^{109}$Cd gamma-ray source was used. In this work a detailed emission spectrum of the $^{109}$Cd source was measured using YAP:Ce scintillator and high-purity germanium (HPGe) detectors. It is shown that the $^{109}$Cd source, equipped with a W substrate and a Cu filter, can provide a complete set of gamma-ray lines, ranging from 8 to 90 keV, for the energy calibration of two-phase detectors. These measurements allowed us to successfully quantify the shape of the amplitude spectra observed in the two-phase argon detector when irradiated with the $^{109}$Cd source., Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures, 1 table

Proportional electroluminescence (EL) in noble gases has long been used in two-phase detectors for dark matter search, to record ionization signals induced by particle scattering in the noble-gas liquid (S2 signals). Until recently, it was believed that proportional electroluminescence was fully due to VUV emission of noble gas excimers produced in atomic collisions with excited atoms, the latter being in turn produced by drifting electrons. In this work we consider an additional mechanism of proportional electroluminescence, namely that of bremsstrahlung of drifting electrons scattered on neutral atoms (so-called neutral bremsstrahlung); it is systemically studied here both theoretically and experimentally. In particular, the absolute EL yield has for the first time been measured in pure gaseous argon in the two-phase mode, using a dedicated two-phase detector with EL gap optically read out by cryogenic PMTs and SiPMs. We show that the neutral bremsstrahlung effect can explain two intriguing observations in EL radiation: that of the substantial contribution of the non-VUV spectral component, extending from the UV to NIR, and that of the photon emission at lower electric fields, below the Ar excitation threshold. Possible applications of neutral bremsstrahlung effect in two-phase dark matter detectors are discussed., Comment: 14 pages, 21 figures. Version3: new several paragraphs and references and a new figure added

Building on the successful experience in operating the DarkSide-50 detector, the DarkSide Collaboration is going to construct DarkSide-20k, a direct WIMP search detector using a two-phase Liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber (LArTPC) with an active (fiducial) mass of 23 t (20 t). The DarkSide-20k LArTPC will be deployed within a shield/veto with a spherical Liquid Scintillator Veto (LSV) inside a cylindrical Water Cherenkov Veto (WCV). Operation of DarkSide-50 demonstrated a major reduction in the dominant $^{39}$Ar background when using argon extracted from an underground source, before applying pulse shape analysis. Data from DarkSide-50, in combination with MC simulation and analytical modeling, shows that a rejection factor for discrimination between electron and nuclear recoils of $\gt3\times10^9$ is achievable. This, along with the use of the veto system, is the key to unlocking the path to large LArTPC detector masses, while maintaining an "instrumental background-free" experiment, an experiment in which less than 0.1 events (other than $\nu$-induced nuclear recoils) is expected to occur within the WIMP search region during the planned exposure. DarkSide-20k will have ultra-low backgrounds than can be measured in situ. This will give sensitivity to WIMP-nucleon cross sections of $1.2\times10^{-47}$ cm$^2$ ($1.1\times10^{-46}$ cm$^2$) for WIMPs of $1$ TeV$/c^2$ ($10$ TeV$/c^2$) mass, to be achieved during a 5 yr run producing an exposure of 100 t yr free from any instrumental background. DarkSide-20k could then extend its operation to a decade, increasing the exposure to 200 t yr, reaching a sensitivity of $7.4\times10^{-48}$ cm$^2$ ($6.9\times10^{-47}$ cm$^2$) for WIMPs of $1$ TeV$/c^2$ ($10$ TeV$/c^2$) mass.

We report on the cryogenic characterization of Red Green Blue - High Density (RGB-HD) SiPMs developed at Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK) as part of the DarkSide program of dark matter searches with liquid argon time projection chambers. A dedicated setup was used to measure the primary dark noise, the correlated noise, and the gain of the SiPMs at varying temperatures. A custom-made data acquisition system and analysis software were used to precisely characterize these parameters. We demonstrate that FBK RGB-HD SiPMs with low quenching resistance (RGB-HD-LR$_q$) can be operated from 40 K to 300 K with gains in the range $10^5$ to $10^6$ and noise rates on the order of a few Hz/mm$^2$.

A measurement of ionization yields in noble-gas liquids is relevant to the energy calibration of nuclear recoil detectors for dark matter search and coherent neutrino-nucleus scattering experiments. In this work we further study the ionization yield of nuclear recoils in liquid Ar, using a two-phase detector with an electroluminescence gap and DD neutron generator. The ionization yields of nuclear recoils in liquid Ar were measured at 233 keV and electric fields of 0.56 and 0.62 kV/cm; their values amounted to 5.9 $\pm$ 0.8 and 7.4 $\pm$ 1 e$^-$/keV, respectively. The characteristic dependences of the ionization yield on energy and electric field were determined, while comparing the results obtained to those at lower energies and higher fields., Comment: 10 pages, 8 figures, 1 table. Submitted to the Proceedings of the Instrumentation for Colliding Beam Physics (INSTR17) Conference. To be published in JINST

The study of proportional electroluminescence in two-phase argon is relevant in the field of noble-gas liquid detectors for dark matter search and low-energy neutrino experiments. In this work, we continued to study proportional electroluminescence (EL) in two-phase argon doped with a minor (9 ppm) admixture of nitrogen, in the VUV, UV and visible spectral ranges. We confirmed the effect of enhancement of the EL yield, as well as the presence of non-VUV component in addition to that of VUV, in proportional electroluminescence in two-phase Ar. On the other hand, the contribution of non-VUV component determined here within the model of N2 emission in the UV, turned out to be insufficient to explain the EL yield enhancement effect. Accordingly, the problem of proportional electroluminescence in two-phase Ar remains unresolved., Comment: 12 pages, 7 figures, 1 table. Presented at Instrumentation for Colliding Beam Physics Conference (INSTR17). To be published in JINST

We report the results of a characterization study of several types of cryogenic photomultipliers manufactured by Hamamatsu Photonics and intended for operation in liquid Ar conditions, namely: compact 2-inch R6041-506MOD tubes, 3-inch R11065-10 and R11065-MOD tubes for operation in liquid Ar and 3-inch R11410-20 tubes originally designed for operation in liquid Xe. These types of PMT are proposed for installation into the future two-phase cryogenic avalanche detector that is developed in the Laboratory of Cosmology and Particle Physics of the Novosibirsk State University jointly with the Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics. Eight R11065 PMTs and seven R11410-20 tubes were tested and all demonstrated excellent performance in liquid Ar in terms of gain and relative single electron efficiency. All 3-inch PMTs showed a maximal gain in liquid Ar above 5x10^6 and relative single electron efficiency higher than 95%. Compact R6041-506MOD tubes have dynode system different from that of the 3-inch photomultipliers and thus their single electron energy resolution and relative efficiency is much worse than that of 3-inch tubes. From 21 2-inch PMTs only 12 tubes were selected with acceptable, i.e. higher than 75%, relative single electron efficiency and the maximal gain higher than 5x10^6. However, these PMTs are very attractive because they are the only compact type of tubes that can operate in liquid Ar., Comment: Submitted to the Proceedings of the Instrumentation for Colliding Beam Physics INSTR17 Conference, to be published in JINST

We present a comprehensive analysis of photon emission and atomic collision processes in two-phase argon doped with xenon and nitrogen. The dopants are aimed to convert the VUV emission of pure Ar to the UV emission of the Xe dopant in the liquid phase and to the near UV emission of the N2 dopant in the gas phase. Such a mixture is relevant to two-phase dark matter and low energy neutrino detectors, with enhanced photon collection efficiency for primary and secondary scintillation signals. Based on this analysis, we show that the recently proposed hypothesis of the enhancement of the excitation transfer from Ar to N2 species in the two-phase mode is either incorrect or needs assumption about a new extreme mechanism of excitation transfer coming into force at lower temperatures, in particular that of the resonant excitation transfer via ArN2 compound (van der Waals molecule)., Comment: 6 pages, 1 figure, 1 table

A two-phase Cryogenic Avalanche Detector (CRAD) with electroluminescence (EL) gap, operated in argon doped with a minor (49$\pm$7 ppm) admixture of nitrogen, has been studied. The EL gap was optically read out using cryogenic PMTs located on the perimeter of the gap. We present the results of the measurements of the N$_2$ content, detector sensitivity to X-ray-induced signals, EL gap yield and electron lifetime in the liquid. The detector sensitivity, at a drift field in liquid Ar of 0.6 kV/cm, was measured to be 9 and 16 photoelectrons recorded at the PMTs per keV of deposited energy at 23 and 88 keV respectively. Such two-phase detectors, with enhanced sensitivity to the S2 (ionization-induced) signal, are relevant in the field of argon detectors for dark matter search and low energy neutrino detection., Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures. Presented at Vienna Conference of Instrumentation (2016). To be published in Nucl. Instr. Meth. A

New Cryogenic Avalanche Detector (CRAD) with ultimate sensitivity, that will be able to detect one primary electron released in the cryogenic liquid, is under development in the Laboratory of Cosmology and Particle Physics of the Novosibirsk State University jointly with the Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics. The CRAD will use two sets of cryogenic PMTs in order to get trigger signal either from primary scintillations in liquid Ar or from secondary scintillations in high field gap above the liquid. Two types of cryogenic PMTs produced by Hamamatsu Photonics were tested and the results are presented in this paper. Low background 3 inch PMT R11065- 10 demonstrated excellent performance according to its specifications provided by the producer. The gain measured with single electron response (SER) in liquid Ar reached 10^7, dark count rate rate did not exceed 300 Hz and pulse height resolution of single electron signals was close to 50%(FWHM). However, two R11065-10 PMTs out of 7 tested stopped functioning after several tens minutes of operation immersed completely into liquid Ar. The remaining 5 devices and one R11065-MOD were operated successfully for several hours each with all the parameters according to the producer specifications. Compact 2 inch PMT R6041-506-MOD with metal-channel dynode structure is a candidate for side wall PMT system that will look at electroluminescence in high field region above liquid. Four of these PMTs were tested in liquid Ar and demonstrated gain up to 2x10^7, dark count rate rate below 100 Hz and pulse height resolution of single electron signals of about 110% (FWHM)., Comment: Submitted to JINST

Proportional electroluminescence (EL) in gaseous Ar has for the first time been systematically studied in the two-phase mode, at 87 K and 1.00 atm. Liquid argon had a minor (56 ppm) admixture of nitrogen, which allowed to understand, inter alia, the effect of N2 doping on the EL mechanism in rare-event experiments using two-phase Ar detectors. The measurements were performed in a two-phase Cryogenic Avalanche Detector (CRAD) with EL gap located directly above the liquid-gas interface. The EL gap was optically read out in the Vacuum Ultraviolet (VUV), near 128 nm (Ar excimer emission), and in the near Ultraviolet (UV), at 300-450 nm (N2 Second Positive System emission), via cryogenic PMTs and a Geiger-mode APD (GAPD). Proportional electroluminescence was measured to have an amplification parameter of 109+-10 photons per drifting electron per kV overall in the VUV and UV, of which 51+-6% were emitted in the UV. The measured EL threshold, at an electric field of 3.7+-0.2 kV/cm, was in accordance with that predicted by the theory. The latter result is particularly relevant to DarkSide and SCENE dark matter search-related experiments, where the operation electric field was thereby on the verge of appearance of the S2 (ionization-induced) signal. The results obtained pave the way to the development of N2-doped two-phase Ar detectors with enhanced sensitivity to the S2 signal., Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures. Replaced to match journal version

The main purpose of this work is to provide reference data on X-ray ionization yields and energy spectra in liquid Ar to the studies in the field of Cryogenic Avalanche Detectors (CRADs) for rare-event and other experiments, based on liquid Ar detectors. We present the results of two related researches. First, the X-ray recombination coefficients in the energy range of 10-1000 keV and ionization yields at different electric fields, between 0.6 and 2.3 kV/cm, are determined in liquid Ar based on the results of a dedicated experiment. Second, the energy spectra of pulsed X-rays in liquid Ar in the energy range of 15-40 keV, obtained in given experiments including that with the two-phase CRAD, are interpreted and compared to those calculated using a computer program, to correctly determine the absorbed X-ray energy. The X-ray recombination coefficients and ionization yields have for the first time been presented for liquid Ar in systematic way., Comment: 13 pages, 9 figures, 3 tables. Submitted to NIM. 2nd version: substantially modified. New Fig. 7: summary of ionization yields in liquid Ar

Two-phase Cryogenic Avalanche Detectors (CRADs) with combined THGEM/GAPD multiplier have become an emerging potential technique for dark matter search and coherent neutrino-nucleus scattering experiments. In such a multiplier the THGEM hole avalanches are optically recorded in the Near Infrared (NIR) using a matrix of Geiger-mode APDs (GAPDs). To select the proper sensor, the performances of six GAPD types manufactured by different companies, namely by Hamamatsu (MPPCs), CPTA (MRS APDs) and SensL (SiPMs), have been comparatively studied at cryogenic temperatures when operated in two-phase CRADs in Ar at 87 K. While the GAPDs with ceramic packages failed to operate properly at cryogenic temperatures, those with plastic packages, namely MPPC S10931-100P and MRS APD 149-35, showed satisfactory performances at 87 K. In addition, MPPC S10931-100P turned out to be superior in terms of the higher detection efficiency, lower nose rate, lower pixel quenching resistor and better characteristics reproducibility., Comment: 11 pages, 8 figures. Submitted to JINST

The energy calibration of nuclear recoil detectors is of primary importance to rare-event experiments such as those of direct dark matter search and coherent neutrino-nucleus scattering. In particular, such a calibration is performed by measuring the ionization yield of nuclear recoils in liquid Ar and Xe detection media, using neutron elastic scattering off nuclei. In the present work, the ionization yield for nuclear recoils in liquid Ar has for the first time been measured in the higher energy range, at 80 and 233 keV, using a two-phase Cryogenic Avalanche Detector (CRAD) and DD neutron generator. The ionization yield in liquid Ar at an electric field of 2.3 kV/cm amounted to 7.8+/-1.1 and 9.7+/-1.3 e-/keV at 80 and 233 keV respectively. The Jaffe model for nuclear recoil-induced ionization, in contrast to that Thomas-Imel, can probably consistently describe the energy dependence of the ionization yield., Comment: 6 pages, 6 figures. Fig. 6 changed. Submitted to EPL

Two-phase Cryogenic Avalanche Detectors (CRADs) with THGEM multipliers, optically read out with Geiger-mode APDs (GAPDs), were proposed as potential technique for charge recording in rare-event experiments. In this work we report on the degradation of the GAPD performance at cryogenic temperatures revealed in the course of the study of two-phase CRAD in Ar, with combined THGEM/GAPD-matrix multiplier; the GAPDs recorded secondary scintillation photons from the THGEM holes in the Near Infrared. The degradation effect, namely the loss of the GAPD pulse amplitude, depended on the incident X-ray photon flux. The critical counting rate of photoelectrons produced at the 4.4 mm2 GAPD, degrading its performance at 87 K, was estimated as 10000 per second. This effect was shown to result from the considerable increase of the pixel quenching resistor of this CPTA-made GAPD type. Though not affecting low-rate rare-event experiments, the observed effect may impose some limitations on the performance of CRADs with GAPD-based optical readout at higher-rate applications., Comment: 11 pages, 9 figures. Submitted to JINST