Low-energy calibration of SuperCDMS HVeV cryogenic silicon calorimeters using Compton steps

Cryogenic calorimeters for low-mass dark matter searches have achieved sub-eV energy resolutions, driving advances in both low-energy calibration techniques and our understanding of detector physics. The energy deposition spectrum of gamma rays scattering off target materials exhibits step-like features, known as Compton steps, near the binding energies of atomic electrons. We demonstrate a successful use of Compton steps for sub-keV calibration of cryogenic silicon calorimeters, utilizing four SuperCDMS High-Voltage eV-resolution detectors operated with 0 V bias across the crystal. This new calibration at 0 V is compared with the established high-voltage calibration using optical photons. The comparison indicates that the detector response at 0 V is about 30% weaker than expected, highlighting challenges in detector response modeling for low-mass dark matter searches.

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Journal
Physical review. D/Physical review. D.
Published
2025-11-21
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1103/jj7w-gkgg
Citations
3
Primary Topic
Dark Matter and Cosmic Phenomena
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article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
5.61
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Low-energy calibration of SuperCDMS HVeV cryogenic silicon calorimeters using Compton steps

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article en
3 citations

Abstract

Cryogenic calorimeters for low-mass dark matter searches have achieved sub-eV energy resolutions, driving advances in both low-energy calibration techniques and our understanding of detector physics. The energy deposition spectrum of gamma rays scattering off target materials exhibits step-like features, known as Compton steps, near the binding energies of atomic electrons. We demonstrate a successful use of Compton steps for sub-keV calibration of cryogenic silicon calorimeters, utilizing four SuperCDMS High-Voltage eV-resolution detectors operated with 0 V bias across the crystal. This new calibration at 0 V is compared with the established high-voltage calibration using optical photons. The comparison indicates that the detector response at 0 V is about 30% weaker than expected, highlighting challenges in detector response modeling for low-mass dark matter searches.

Physical review. D/Physical review. D.Vol. 112(9)
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (DE), Northwestern University (US), California Institute of Technology (US), Northeastern University (US), University of Minnesota (US), TRIUMF (CA), Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (US), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ES), University of British Columbia (CA), Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (US), Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (US), Santa Clara University (US), National Institute of Science Education and Research (IN), Southern Methodist University (US), South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (US), University of Toronto (CA), University of South Dakota (US), Durham University (GB), Homi Bhabha National Institute (IN), Queen's University (CA), Heidelberg University (DE), University of Minnesota System (US), Mitchell Institute (US), SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (US), University of California System (US), University of Florida (US), Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology (US), Laurentian University (CA), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (ES), Université de Montréal (CA), Universidad del Noreste (MX), Zayed University (AE), Texas A&M University (US), University of Colorado Denver (US), University of California, Berkeley (US), Stanford University (US)
Openalex Percentile: Top 4%
Dark Matter and Cosmic Phenomena
5.61
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