Institute for Nuclear and Particle Astrophysics (INPA) at LBNL
The INPA Seminar weekly talks are on Fridays, starting at 12:00 pm, unless informed otherwise. The seminar talk starts with a brief presentation of the weekly scientific news. Typically, the talks conclude by 1:00 pm. The seminars are held in the Sessler Conference Room, located in Bldg. 50A- 5132.
Please send all suggestions for future INPA talks and speakers to the INPA Committee.
To be added to the INPA News Mailing List, please contact Erica Hall.
INPA Talks are archived here.
The INPA Committee currently consists of:
2025-26
Daniel Kodroff
Krystal Alfonso
Edmond Chaussidon
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INPA Seminar Speaker: Chami Amarasinghe (UCSB)- Title: Hidden track structures in liquid xenon and their implications for dark matter searches
February 27 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Date: February 27, 2026
Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Location: Sessler Conference Room – 50A-5132 [Hybrid and In-Person]
Speaker: Chami Amarasinghe (UCSB)
Title: Hidden track structures in liquid xenon and their implications for dark matter searches
Abstract: Dual-phase liquid xenon detectors are entering a regime where new insights into signal formation are required to make robust discoveries of WIMPs and solar neutrino CEvNS. I will present two results from the LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) experiment showing that key signals and backgrounds are not described by standard models of light and charge production in liquid xenon. First, double-electron-capture backgrounds in WIMP searches produce unexpectedly strong electron-ion recombination, generating events that mimic nuclear recoils. Second, neutron calibrations reveal excess fluctuations in nuclear recoil signals, boosting the observable rates of low-mass dark matter and solar neutrino CEvNS. I will describe how the underlying physics of track structures impacts current dark matter searches and the predictions of future experiments.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://lbnl.zoom.us/j/95016696011?pwd=Tk1XOW1Xd3RYRnlsc2tEYmRWZlVVZz09
Meeting ID: 950 1669 6011
Passcode: 247722
INPA guests from campus can now come to the lab early on Fridays. The INPA Common Room (50-5026) is reserved for our guests from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Note that the seminars are now held in 50A-5132 to accommodate a more significant number of attendees.
CPTea Series (also known as INPA Tea Series)
The Physics Division CPTea Series invites you to an In-Person Tea Series 1st Friday of every month at 3:30 pm INPA Conference Room 50-5026.
Everyone is welcome to attend the open forum. Tea and light refreshments will be served.
INPA Common Room (50-5026)
Fridays
3:30 pm
Access to the Lab
For a shuttle pass, please email Erica Hall. The pass is only valid for the day of the seminar.