The work presented in this book is a major step towards understanding and eventually suppressing background in the direct search for dark matter particles scattering off germanium detectors. Although the flux of cosmic muons is reduced by many orders of magnitude in underground laboratories, the remaining energetic muons induce neutrons through various processes, neutrons that can potentially mimic a dark matter signal. This thesis describes the measurement of muon-induced neutrons over more than 3 years in the Modane underground laboratory. The data are complemented by a thorough modeling of the neutron signal using the GEANT4 simulation package, demonstrating the appropriateness of this tool to model these rare processes. As a result, a precise neutron production yield can be presented. Thus, future underground experiments will be able to reliably model the expected rate of muon-induced neutrons, making it possible to develop the necessary shielding concept to suppress this background component.

The work presented in this book is a major step towards understanding and eventually suppressing background in the direct search for dark matter particles scattering off germanium detectors. Although the flux of cosmic muons is reduced by many orders of magnitude in underground laboratories, the remaining energetic muons induce neutrons through various processes, neutrons that can potentially mimic a dark matter signal.This thesis describes the measurement of muon-induced neutrons over more than 3 years in the Modane underground laboratory. The data are complemented by a thorough modeling of the neutron signal using the GEANT4 simulation package, demonstrating the appropriateness of this tool to model these rare processes. As a result, a precise neutron production yield can be presented. Thus, future underground experiments will be able to reliably model the expected rate of muon-induced neutrons, making it possible to develop the necessary shielding concept to suppress this background component.

This volume is the latest in a prominent biannual series of scientific meetings on the exciting research topics of dark matter and, more recently, of dark energy. It contains a state-of-the-art update on detection efforts by experimental groups around the world trying to pin down exotic new forms of matter under the names of axions, neutralinos, wimps, primordial black holes, q balls, sterile neutrinos, as well as a tantalizing new form of dark energy component called phantom energy and quintessence. The book is self-contained as it also includes general reviews on recent cosmological observations OCo supernovae measurements, cosmic matter distribution surveys and cosmic radiation anisotropies OCo introducing even the uninitiated reader to this fascinating frontier of research."

The prestigious Identification of Dark Matter workshop series was initiated to assess the status of work that attempts to identify the constitution of dark matter. In particular, it aims to review the success of current methods that are used in the search for dark matter, as well as the new techniques that are likely to improve prospects for detecting possible dark matter candidates in the future. In the 5th International Workshop, special emphasis was placed on the recent results obtained in experiments searching for baryonic and non-baryonic dark matter. This volume comprises the high-quality review articles and papers contributed by leaders and promising young physicists who attended the conference. It provides the most recent updates on dark matter searches from both experimental and theoretical points of view.The proceedings have been selected for coverage in:• Index to Scientific & Technical Proceedings® (ISTP® / ISI Proceedings)• Index to Scientific & Technical Proceedings (ISTP CDROM version / ISI Proceedings)• CC Proceedings — Engineering & Physical Sciences

This workshop held in Valencia, following the earlier meetings organized at UIMP in 1991 and 1993 was open to all who wished to attend and addressed the basic issues in elementary particle physics research for the coming decade, with emphasis on the new physics topics pertaining to the electroweak sector, supersymmetry and neutrino physics, as well as the related experimentation at the new CERN accelerators LEP200 and LHC. Although it is expected that most attendees are working in the field, some time are devoted to reviews of basic results. The topics covered are the standard model, top and higgs physics, neutrino physics, astroparticle physics, physics beyond the standard model, grand unification and supersymmetry, physics at LEP200 and LHC, future perspectives.

This workshop examined the state-of-the-art of all techniques for measuring radioactivity at ultra-low activity levels as well as all aspects of the development of low-background detectors. Such detectors are needed to study physical processes that can only be observed when all sources of interfering background are reduced to a very low level. These techniques are essential to develop next generation detectors for neutrino research, solar neutrino physics, and neutrino astrophysics, as well as measurement of the double beta-decay process and the search for dark matter in the universe. Topics covered include experimental radio-purity requirements, methods for shielding detectors from cosmic rays and local radioactivity, methods for the measurement of impurities in bulk materials, in gases, and on surfaces, techniques for materials purification, and related subjects. The workshop marked the beginning of excavation for the new international facility for deep underground particle astrophysics (SNOLAB), located in Sudbury, Canada.

Handbook of Radioactivity Analysis: Radiation Physics and Detectors, Volume One, and Radioanalytical Applications, Volume Two, Fourth Edition, is an authoritative reference on the principles, practical techniques and procedures for the accurate measurement of radioactivity - everything from the very low levels encountered in the environment, to higher levels measured in radioisotope research, clinical laboratories, biological sciences, radionuclide standardization, nuclear medicine, nuclear power, and fuel cycle facilities, and in the implementation of nuclear forensic analysis and nuclear safeguards. It includes sample preparation techniques for all types of matrices found in the environment, including soil, water, air, plant matter and animal tissue, and surface swipes.Users will find a detailed discussion of our current understanding of the atomic nucleus, nuclear stability and decay, nuclear radiation, and the interaction of radiation with matter relating to the best methods for radionuclide detection and measurement. - Spans two volumes, Radiation Physics and Detectors and Radioanalytical Applications - Includes a much-expanded treatment of calculations required in the measurement of radionuclide decay, energy of decay, nuclear reactions, radiation attenuation, nuclear recoil, cosmic radiation, and synchrotron radiation - Includes the latest advances in liquid and solid scintillation analysis, alpha- and gamma spectrometry, mass spectrometric analysis, gas ionization and nuclear track analysis, and neutron detection and measurement - Covers high-sample-throughput microplate techniques and multi-detector assay methods