Neutron beam tests of CsI(Na) and CaF2(Eu) crystals for dark matter direct search

In recent decades, inorganic crystals have been widely used in dark matter direct search experiments. To contribute to the understanding of the capabilities of CsI(Na) and CaF2(Eu) crystals, a mono-energetic neutron beam is utilized to study the properties of nuclear recoils, which are expected to be similar to signals of dark matter direct detection. The quenching factor of nuclear recoils in CsI(Na) and CaF2Eu, as well as an improved discrimination factor between nuclear recoils and gamma backgrounds in CsI(Na), are reported. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.