Erlangen 2026 – scientific programme

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T: Fachverband Teilchenphysik

T 80: Axions/ALPs II

T 80.1: Talk

Thursday, March 19, 2026, 16:15–16:30, KH 02.019

The IAXO-D1 Demonstrator for the BabyIAXO Intermediate Step — •Jorge Porrón Lafuente — University of Zaragoza — Centro de Astropartículas y Física de Altas Energías (CAPA)

The International AXion Observatory (IAXO) is a large-scale helioscope searching for solar axions and axion-like particles via the Primakoff effect. BabyIAXO, its prototype at DESY, serves both as a testbed for IAXO technologies and a functional helioscope, requiring high efficiency in the 1-10keV range and ultra-low background (<10*-7 counts/keV/cm2/s).

The IAXO-D1 Micromegas X-ray detector in Zaragoza characterizes cosmic background at surface level. It features 20cm lead shielding, a 4π muon veto, and radiopure materials to reduce intrinsic background. Cosmogenic neutrons, which can mimic axion signals, are tagged using the REST-for-Physics framework. Previous detectors achieved 8.6*10-7 counts/keV/cm2/s at surface and approx. 2*10-7 counts/keV/cm2/s underground. Simulations indicate cosmic neutrons produce secondary signals in the veto, enabling identification.

Initial IAXO-D1 measurements without the veto reached 2*10-6 counts/keV/cm2/s. Ongoing improvements in veto design, shielding, and analysis aim to meet the <10*-7 counts/keV/cm2/s goal, enhancing BabyIAXO*s sensitivity and informing the design of the full-scale IAXO experiment.

Keywords: IAXO; Axion; ALPs; Low Background; Dark Matter