We measure space- and time-correlated charge jumps on a four-qubit device, operating 107 meters below the Earth's surface in a low-radiation, cryogenic facility designed for the characterization of ...low-threshold particle detectors. The rock overburden of this facility reduces the cosmic ray muon flux by over 99% compared to laboratories at sea level. Combined with 4\(\pi\) coverage of a movable lead shield, this facility enables quantifiable control over the flux of ionizing radiation on the qubit device. Long-time-series charge tomography measurements on these weakly charge-sensitive qubits capture discontinuous jumps in the induced charge on the qubit islands, corresponding to the interaction of ionizing radiation with the qubit substrate. The rate of these charge jumps scales with the flux of ionizing radiation on the qubit package, as characterized by a series of independent measurements on another energy-resolving detector operating simultaneously in the same cryostat with the qubits. Using lead shielding, we achieve a minimum charge jump rate of 0.19\(^{+0.04}_{-0.03}\) mHz, almost an order of magnitude lower than that measured in surface tests, but a factor of roughly eight higher than expected based on reduction of ambient gammas alone. We operate four qubits for over 22 consecutive hours with zero correlated charge jumps at length scales above three millimeters.
The last decade has seen unprecedented effort in dark matter model building at all mass scales coupled with the design of numerous new detection strategies. Transformative advances in quantum ...technologies have led to a plethora of new high-precision quantum sensors and dark matter detection strategies for ultralight (\(<10\,\)eV) bosonic dark matter that can be described by an oscillating classical, largely coherent field. This white paper focuses on searches for wavelike scalar and vector dark matter candidates.
We estimate the amount of \(^{37}\)Ar produced in natural xenon via cosmic ray-induced spallation, an inevitable consequence of the transportation and storage of xenon on the Earth's surface. We then ...calculate the resulting \(^{37}\)Ar concentration in a 10-tonne payload~(similar to that of the LUX-ZEPLIN experiment) assuming a representative schedule of xenon purification, storage and delivery to the underground facility. Using the spallation model by Silberberg and Tsao, the sea level production rate of \(^{37}\)Ar in natural xenon is estimated to be 0.024~atoms/kg/day. Assuming the xenon is successively purified to remove radioactive contaminants in 1-tonne batches at a rate of 1~tonne/month, the average \(^{37}\)Ar activity after 10~tonnes are purified and transported underground is 0.058--0.090~\(\mu\)Bq/kg, depending on the degree of argon removal during above-ground purification. Such cosmogenic \(^{37}\)Ar will appear as a noticeable background in the early science data, while decaying with a 35~day half-life. This newly-noticed production mechanism of \(^{37}\)Ar should be considered when planning for future liquid xenon-based experiments.
Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by deep-seated, painful lesions most frequently occurring in intertriginous areas of the skin. HS leads to ...poor quality of life in affected individuals and is difficult to diagnose and treat. Objective: Understanding the genetics associated with familial inheritance may lead to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of this debilitating disease. Methods: Articles published until March 9, 2023, were identified in PubMed using the following search terms: hidradenitis suppurativa and gene* or acne inversa and gene*. Results: The rate of monogenic mutations associated with HS is less than 7%, with the most common genetic mutations reported in sporadic and familial HS cases being in NCSTN and less frequently in PSENEN. Individuals with mutations in the gamma-secretase complex tended to have more severe HS and an early age of onset. Limitations: This study was limited to the case studies available in PubMed, the majority of which used targeted gene panels to detect genetic mutations. Conclusion: Approximately 30% of individuals diagnosed with HS report having a positive family history; however, very few studies demonstrate monogenic familial transmission of HS. The case studies of syndromic HS reported a variety of genetic mutations associated with HS, some of which were familial, while others were sporadic, suggesting that other pathways may be involved in the pathogenesis of HS and other potential mutations that have yet to be evaluated. More research is needed to understand the genetic mutations in HS.
The search for particle-like dark matter with meV-to-GeV masses has developed rapidly in the past few years. We summarize the science case for these searches, the recent progress, and the exciting ...upcoming opportunities. Funding for Research and Development and a portfolio of small dark matter projects will allow the community to capitalize on the substantial recent advances in theory and experiment and probe vast regions of unexplored dark-matter parameter space in the coming decade.
The projected sensitivity of the LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) experiment to two-neutrino and neutrinoless double beta decay of \(^{134}\)Xe is presented. LZ is a 10-tonne xenon time projection chamber optimized ...for the detection of dark matter particles, that is expected to start operating in 2021 at Sanford Underground Research Facility, USA. Its large mass of natural xenon provides an exceptional opportunity to search for the double beta decay of \(^{134}\)Xe, for which xenon detectors enriched in \(^{136}\)Xe are less effective. For the two-neutrino decay mode, LZ is predicted to exclude values of the half-life up to 1.7\(\times\)10\(^{24}\) years at 90% confidence level (CL), and has a three-sigma observation potential of 8.7\(\times\)10\(^{23}\) years, approaching the predictions of nuclear models. For the neutrinoless decay mode LZ, is projected to exclude values of the half-life up to 7.3\(\times\)10\(^{24}\) years at 90% CL.
Axion Dark Matter Adams, C B; Aggarwal, N; Agrawal, A ...
arXiv.org,
03/2023
Paper, Journal Article
Odprti dostop
Axions are well-motivated dark matter candidates with simple cosmological production mechanisms. They were originally introduced to solve the strong CP problem, but also arise in a wide range of ...extensions to the Standard Model. This Snowmass white paper summarizes axion phenomenology and outlines next-generation laboratory experiments proposed to detect axion dark matter. There are vibrant synergies with astrophysical searches and advances in instrumentation including quantum-enabled readout, high-Q resonators and cavities and large high-field magnets. This white paper outlines a clear roadmap to discovery, and shows that the US is well-positioned to be at the forefront of the search for axion dark matter in the coming decade.
Scanning tunneling spectroscopy has been used to investigate the superconducting gaps of FeSe1–x Sx single crystals and to reveal signatures of a bosonic mode in the quasiparticle density of states. ...We find that both superconducting gaps residing on different pockets of the Fermi surface are anisotropic. Moreover, the bosonic mode appears in the quasiparticle density of states as a redistribution of states at energy Ω/e, measured with respect to the superconducting gap. The energy of the boson mode Ω is found to scale with the superconducting gap and it can be estimated to be in the range 2.6 ÷ 3.8 meV in agreement with a recent observation of a resonance spin excitation in neutron scattering. Furthermore, this suggests that quasiparticle interaction with this mode are important for superconductivity.
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.
