A low-threshold diamond cryogenic detector for sub-GeV dark matter searches

In this work we report the realization of the first low-threshold cryogenic detector that uses diamond as absorber for astroparticle physics applications. We tested two 0.175 g CVD diamond samples, each instrumented with a W-TES. The sensors showed transitions at about 25 mK. We present the performance of the diamond detectors and we highlight the best performing one, where we obtained an energy threshold as low as 16.8 eV. This promising result lays the foundation for the use of diamond for different fields of applications where low threshold and excellent energy resolution are required, as i.e. light dark matter searches and BSM physics with coherent elastic neutrino nucleus scattering.

Automated summary

This work presents the realization of the first low-threshold cryogenic detector using diamond as an absorber for astroparticle physics applications. We tested two CVD diamond samples and found that the sensors showed transitions at around 25 mK. The best performing diamond detector achieved an energy threshold as low as 16.8 eV. This promising result lays the foundation for diamond's use in various applications that require low threshold and excellent energy resolution, such as light dark matter searches and BSM physics with coherent elastic neutrino nucleus scattering.