Li-7 solar axions: Preliminary results and feasibility studies

摘要

Feasibility studies on a search for Li-7 solar axion have been carried out. In particular, the data collected with a LiF powder of 243 g measured during 722 h with a 408 cm(3) low background HP Ge detector (GSOR) at the Gran Sasso National Laboratories (LNGS) of INFN has allowed to set limit on the Li-7 solar axion mass of 13.9 keV, better than the previously available one: 16.0 keV [A. V. Derbin, et al., JETP Lett. 81 (2005) 365]. It has also been shown that improved results would be achieved with LiF(W) crystal which-in contrast with the LiF powder-does not show a relatively high contamination by U/Th chains. The potential backgrounds and the reachable sensitivity of an experiment are discussed. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.