Effects of a Weak Magnetic Field on Carrier Transport in a Cryogenic Germanium Detector for Dark Matter Search

A magnetic field of a few gauss produces sizeable effects on carrier trans-port and charge collection in a germanium dark matter detector operated at millikelvin temperatures. The magnitude of the effects is explained by the large values of the velocities imparted to the carriers, even under the low electric field conditions typical for charge collection in these devices (a few 106 cm/s at ~ 1 V/cm). Using a suitable experimental setup, effects of the magnetic field on electron and hole transport were investigated separately. A dependence of these effects on the orientation of the field relative to the detector axis is demonstrated, arising in part from magnetic flux conser-vation through the superconducting (Al) annular electrodes on these devices. 1