Low-energy threshold demonstration for dark matter searches in TREX-DM with an <sup>37</sup> Ar source produced at CNA HiSPANoS
Abstract We report on the successful implementation of an 37 Ar calibration source in the TREX-DM detector, a high-pressure time projection chamber designed for low-mass dark matter searches. The 37 Ar source was produced through fast neutron activation of CaO powder at the HiSPANoS facility of Centro Nacional de Aceleradores (CNA) in Spain, yielding O (1) kBq of activity. Using a novel combined GEM-Micromegas readout system, we successfully detected both characteristic emissions from 37 Ar decay (2.82 keV and 270 eV) and achieved unprecedented energy threshold performance in TREX-DM, approaching the single-electron ionization energy of argon.
Authors
- C. Guerrero (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2111-546X)
- Arturo Ezquerro (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9910-4576)
- T. Dafní (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8921-910X)
- Belén Huidobro Fernández (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6682-4393)
- G. Luzón (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5352-1884)
- S. Cebrián
- H. Mirallas (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9951-8680)
- L. Obis
- I.G. Irastorza (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1163-1687)
- D. Díez-Ibáñez
- C. Margalejo
- J. Galán (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7529-9834)
- J Porrón
- M.J Puyuelo
- José Antonio García García (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5520-3858)
- Antonio García Quintana (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2475-2616)
- Olivier Pérez (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3961-8521)
- J. Castel
- A. Órtiz de Solórzano
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
- Published
- 2026-04-01
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1088/1475-7516/2026/04/072
- Primary Topic
- Dark Matter and Cosmic Phenomena
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- CERN
- European Commission
- Universidad de Zaragoza
- Agencia Estatal de Investigación