0000000000200881
AUTHOR
X-f. Navick
Axion search with BabyIAXO in view of IAXO
Axions are a natural consequence of the Peccei-Quinn mechanism, the most compelling solution to the strong-CP problem. Similar axion-like particles (ALPs) also appear in a number of possible extensions of the Standard Model, notably in string theories. Both axions and ALPs are very well motivated candidates for Dark Matter, and in addition, they would be copiously produced at the sun's core. A relevant effort during the last decade has been the CAST experiment at CERN, the most sensitive axion helioscope to-date. The International Axion Observatory (IAXO) is a large-scale 4th generation helioscope. As its primary physics goal, IAXO will look for solar axions or ALPs with a signal to backgro…
Interpretation of the Anomalous NaI Events
Anomalous events, with scintillation decay times shorter than nuclear recoils, have been observed by the UKDMC and Saclay NaI experiments. By using the event categories observed in the EDELWEISS experiment, we propose to interpret the anomalous NaI events as surface nuclear recoils accompanied with a small energy loss of an escaping alpha particle. The discrimination performances of the NaI experiments which have not taken into account these events in their analysis, notably for axial WIMP interactions, must then be reevaluated.
Status of the EDELWEISS experiment
The Edelweiss Dark Matter Experiment is installed in the Modane Underground Laboratory since 1994. In 1997 the first detector of a 70 g heat and ionization Ge low-temperature detector built by the collaboration showed its discrimination capabilities. During the last two years the installation was upgraded, and a new generation of 70 g Ge detectors is operational. The detector environment is drastically controlled to avoid radioactive contamination. A test run with two new 70 g detectors shows a reduction by a factor of ten in the background level before 7-ray rejection which is now around 2 events/kg/keV/day. Three 320 g Ge cryogenic detectors have been constructed and are now being tested …