Neutron capture-induced silicon nuclear recoils for dark matter and CEνNS

Abstract

Following neutron capture in a material, there will be prompt nuclear recoils in addition to the gamma cascade. The nuclear recoils that are left behind in materials are generally below 1 keV and therefore in the range of interest for dark matter experiments and $\mathrm{CE}\ensuremath{\nu}\mathrm{NS}$ studies---both as backgrounds and calibration opportunities. Here we obtain the spectrum of prompt nuclear recoils following neutron capture for silicon.