Comparative Simulation of CEvNS Recoil Observables in Geant4 Using Germanium, Argon, and Xenon Targets
Yusuf Havvat
TL;DR
This work develops a Geant4-based, end-to-end CEvNS simulation framework for Ge, Ar, and Xe targets by implementing a dedicated CEvNSProcess with realistic differential cross sections and the Helm form factor. ROOT-based analyses extract recoil spectra, time structures, angular distributions, and coherence effects, revealing clearer coherence loss and lower recoils for heavier nuclei. The study demonstrates a consistent mass-dependent scaling: Argon yields higher recoils, Xenon exhibits stronger form-factor suppression, and Germanium lies between; the results align with COHERENT, CONNIE/CONUS, Dresden-II, and xenon-based detectors. By providing a reproducible, single-framework approach, the work offers predictive capability for detector design, material selection, and interpretation of CEvNS measurements, while outlining avenues for incorporating realistic neutrino fluxes and detector responses in future work.
Abstract
We present a Geant4-based simulation study of Coherent Elastic Neutrino-Nucleus Scattering (CEvNS) for three commonly used detector targets: Germanium, Argon, and Xenon. A custom CEvNS model was implemented, including differential cross sections and Helm form factors. Recoil energy spectra, angular distributions, and form factor effects were analyzed using ROOT. The results reveal expected trends: heavier nuclei lead to lower recoil energies and increased form factor suppression. This work provides a simulation framework to support future theoretical and experimental studies in neutrino physics and dark matter searches.