Low-energy threshold demonstration for dark matter searches in TREX-DM with an 37 Ar source produced at CNA HiSPANoS

Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics 2026 Open access

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Authors: J. Castel, S. Cebrián, T. Dafní, D. Díez-Ibáñez, Arturo Ezquerro, Belén Huidobro Fernández, J. Galán, José Antonio García García, C. Guerrero, Igor Garcia Irastorza, Gloria Luzón, C. Margalejo
+7 more H. Mirallas, L. Obis, A. Órtiz de Solórzano, Olivier Pérez, J Porrón, María Jiménez Puyuelo, Antonio García Quintana
DOI: 10.1088/1475-7516/2026/04/072
Cited by: 0
References: 26

Abstract

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.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Dark Matter and Cosmic Phenomena Particle physics theoretical and experimental studies Particle Detector Development and Performance

Publication details

Journal / source
Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Volume
2026
Issue
04
Pages
072–072
Publication date
1 April 2026
Language
EN