EPJ Plus Focus Point Issue: Advances in cryogenic detectors for dark matter, neutrino physics and astrophysics

Details

Published on 24 June 2022

Guest Editor: Luca Pattavina

Rationale:

In the past years, the study of neutrino and Dark Matter (DM) properties has risen a lot of interest in the Particle and Astroparticle physics communities. The recent instrumental and computational advancements made possible the discovery of some fundamental properties of these key constituents of our Universe. Hopefully, in the next 5-10 years the most important open questions in neutrino and DM physics will be addressed, as for example which is the mass and nature of neutrinos, or what is Dark Matter made of.

Since the proposition, in the early 80's, of low-temperature detectors for astroparticle physics applications, there have been enormous technological advancements. This experimental technique led to the realization of ultra-low threshold detectors, reaching eV-scales, but also the flawless operation of large arrays of ton-scale size. Nowadays cryogenic detectors are considered a key technology for next-generation neutrino and DM experiments, given their potential and their broad range of applications. Direct and indirect neutrino mass measurements, sterile neutrino searches as well as astrophysical neutrino observatories are within the reach of low-temperature detectors. In addition, the current survey of DM mass has currently spanned about 3 orders of magnitude, with still no discovery. Recently, these detectors were also proposed as Supernova neutrino observatories thanks to the previously mentioned achievements. In this Focus Point, we are aiming at highlighting the great potential of this experimental technique. In particular, we will focus on some technical aspects that include (but it is not limited to): realization of multi-purpose experiments for DM and neutrinoless double-beta decay studies, innovative particle discrimination techniques at low and ultra-low energies, how to extend the physics reach of currently running DM experiments to the newly expanding Coherent Elastic Neutrino-nucleus Scattering (CEvNS) sector, but also new energy calibration techniques at low and ultra-low energies.

Manuscripts should be prepared following the instructions for authors. A special latex template is available here. Authors should submit their article to the Editorial Office of EPJ Plus via the submission system at http://www.editorialmanager.com/epjp by replying "yes" to the question 'Are you submitting this manuscript following an invitation to contribute to a "focus point" (topical article collection by invitation of guest editors)?' and then selecting “Focus Point: Advances in cryogenic detectors for dark matter, neutrino physics and astrophysics".

Guest Editor:

Luca Pattavina
INFN Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso, Via G. Acitelli 22, I-67100 Assergi, Italy
Physik-Department and Excellence Cluster Origins, Technische Universität München, James-Franck-Straße 1, Germany, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Open Access: EPJ Plus is a hybrid journal offering Open Access publication via the Open Choice programme and a growing number of Springer Compact “Publish and Read” arrangements which enable authors to publish OA at no direct cost (all costs are paid centrally).