Bolometric calibration of a superfluid ${}^3$He detector for Dark Matter search: direct measurement of the scintillated energy fraction for neutron, electron and muon events

Abstract

We report on the calibration of a superfluid ${}^3$He bolometer developed for the search of non-baryonic Dark Matter. Precise thermometry is achieved by the direct measurement of thermal excitations using Vibrating Wire Resonators (VWRs). The heating pulses for calibration were produced by the direct quantum process of quasiparticle generation by other VWRs present. The bolometric calibration factor is analyzed as a function of temperature and excitation level of the sensing VWR. The calibration is compared to bolometric measurements of the nuclear neutron capture reaction and heat depositions by cosmic muons and low energy electrons. The comparison allows a quantitative estimation of the ultra-violet scintillation rate of irradiated helium, demonstrating the possibility of efficient electron recoil event rejection.

arXiv comment17 pages, submitted to Nuc. Instr. Meth. A

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• QUEST-DMC superfluid ${}^3$He detector for sub-GeV dark matter
• QUEST-DMC: Background Modelling and Resulting Heat Deposit for a Superfluid Helium-3 Bolometer
• Effect of boundary condition on Kapitza resistance between superfluid ${}^3$He-B and sintered metal
• Signatures and Detection Prospects for sub-GeV Dark Matter with Superfluid Helium
• Transport of bound quasiparticle states in a two-dimensional boundary superfluid
• Electron - nuclear recoil discrimination by pulse shape analysis
• Liquid ${}^3$He Detectors for Neutrons