Measurement of the nuclear ionization quench factor in a dual-phase argon detector

Coherent neutrino-nuclear scattering (CNS) has long been predicted by the standard model, but has yet to be observed. One of the most promising approaches that could result in CNS detection is the use of a dual-phase argon detector, For this demanding measurement it is essential that the nuclear ionization quench factor be known, which is not the case for liquid argon at typical CN. S energies - We have built the Gamma or Neutron Argon Recoils Resulting in Liquid Ionization (G/NARRLI) detector for the purpose of measuring the nuclear ionization quench factor at CNS energies. We plan to use neutron scatter recoils to measure the nuclear ionization quench factor at ~8 keV, while using nuclear resonance fluorescence (NRF) recoils to measure the nuclear ionization quench factor between -~100 eV and ~ 4.5 keV. In making these measurements, we will map the regime of reactor neutrino CNS recoil in Ar and validate Monte Carlo models for calculating the nuclear quench factor.