The COSINE-100 dark matter search experiment is an array of NaI(Tl) crystal detectors located in the Yangyang Underground Laboratory (Y2L). To understand measured backgrounds in the NaI(Tl) crystals we have performed Monte Carlo simulations using the Geant4 toolkit and developed background models for each crystal that consider contributions from both internal and external sources, including cosmogenic nuclides. The background models are based on comparisons of measurement data with Monte Carlo simulations that are guided by a campaign of material assays and are used to evaluate backgrounds and identify their sources. The average background level for the six crystals (70 kg total mass) that are studied is 3.5 counts/day/keV/kg in the (2-6) keV energy interval. The dominant contributors in this energy region are found to be 210 Pb and 3 H.
We have studied the response of Tl-doped and Na-doped CsI crystals to nuclear recoils and γ's below 10 keV. The response of CsI crystals to nuclear recoil was studied with mono-energetic neutrons produced by the 3 H(p,n) 3 He reaction. This was compared to the response to Compton electrons scattered by 662 keV γ-ray. Pulse shape discrimination between the response to these γ's and nuclear recoils was studied, and quality factors were estimated. The quenching factors for nuclear recoils were derived for both CsI(Na) and CsI(Tl) crystals.
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