An exciting prospect: detecting inelastic transitions of xenon caused by dark matter. Issue 4 (May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: McCabe, Christopher
• Is Part Of: Journal of physics. Volume 718:Issue 4(2016)
• Publication Date: 2016-05
• Subjects: Physics -- Congresses; 530.5
• DOI: 10.1088/1742-6596/718/4/042038
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1742-6588

Abstract

Abstract: Dark matter can scatter and excite the xenon isotopes 129 Xe and 131 Xe to a low-lying excitation in a direct detection experiment. This signature is distinct from the canonical elastic scattering signal because the inelastic signal also contains the energy deposited from the subsequent prompt de-excitation of the nucleus. A measurement of the elastic and inelastic signal will allow a single experiment to distinguish between a spin-independent and spin-dependent interaction. In this paper, I will discuss the prospects of detecting this inelastic signal with up-coming tonne-scale two-phase xenon direct detection experiments.