Transition edge sensor-based detector:from X-ray to γ-ray

A transition edge sensor(TES)is extremely sensitive to changes in temperature,and combined with a high-Z metal of a certain thickness,it can realize high-energy resolution measurements of particles such as X-rays.X-rays with energies below 10 keV have a weak penetrating ability,hence,only gold or bismuth of a few micrometers in thickness can guarantee a quantum efficiency higher than 70%.Therefore,the entire structure of the TES X-ray detector in this energy range can be realized using a microfabrication process.However,for X-rays or γ-rays from 10 keV to 200 keV,submillimeter absorber layers are required,which cannot be realized using the microfabrication process.This paper first briefly introduces a set of TES X-ray detectors and their auxiliary systems,and then focuses on the introduction of the TES γ-ray detector with an absorber based on a submillimeter lead-tin alloy sphere.The detector achieved a quantum efficiency above 70% near 100 keV and an energy resolution of approximately 161.5 eV at 59.5 keV.

First dark matter search results from the PandaX-Ⅰ experiment

We report on the first dark-matter(DM)search results from PandaX-I,a low threshold dual-phase xenon experiment operating at the China JinPing Underground Laboratory.In the 37-kg liquid xenon target with 17.4 live-days of exposure,no DM particle candidate event was found.This result sets a stringent limit for low-mass DM particles and disfavors the interpretation of previously-reported positive experimental results.The minimum upper limit,3.7×10-44cm2,for the spin-independent isoscalar DM-particle-nucleon scattering cross section is obtained at a DM-particle mass of 49 GeV/c2at 90%confidence level.

PandaX: a liquid xenon dark matter experiment at CJPL

PandaX is a large liquid-xenon detector experiment usable for direct dark-matter detection and 136Xe double-beta decay search.The central vessel was designed to accommodate a staged target volume increase from initially 120 kg(stage I)to 0.5 t(stage II)and eventually to a multi-ton scale.The experiment is located in the Jinping Deep-Underground Laboratory in Sichuan,China.The detector operates in dual-phase mode,allowing detection of both prompt scintillation,and ionization charge through proportional scintillation.In this paper a detailed description of the stage I detector design and performance as well as results established during the commissioning phase are presented.

Generalized Second Law of Thermodynamics in Parabolic LTB Inhomogeneous Cosmology

We study thermodynamics of the parabolic Lemaitre-Tolman-Bondi(LTB) cosmology supported by a perfect Suid source.This model is the natural generalization of the Sat Friedmann-Robertson-Walker(FRW) universe,and describes an inhomogeneous universe with spherical symmetry.After reviewing some basic equations in the parabolic LTB cosmology,we obtain a relation for the deceleration parameter in this model.We also obtain a condition for which the universe undergoes an accelerating phase at the present time.We use the first law of thermodynamics on the apparent horizon together with the Einstein field equations to get a relation for the apparent horizon entropy in LTB cosmology.We find out that in LTB model of cosmology,the apparent horizon's entropy could be feeded by a term,which incorporates the effects of the inhomogeneity.We consider this result and get a relation for the total entropy evolution,which is used to examine the generalized second law of thermodynamics for an accelerating universe.We also verify the validity of the second law and the generalized second law of thermodynamics for a universe filled with some kinds of matters bounded by the event horizon in the framework of the parabolic LTB model.