The major objectives of the work described in this dissertation were to gain a better understanding of the backgrounds in the CRESST experiment and to study how to reduce them from their present levels. A major contribution in the energy region of interest was identified as coming from the metal clamps used to hold the scintillators in place. On the basis of this study, different clamp designs were developed and tested in the test facility at Gran Sasso with the goal of minimizing clamp-related background in future runs. Complementary to reducing backgrounds, a more accurate description of the light yield for different background sources is essential. It is shown here for the first time that there exists an energy dependence in the light yield for α-particles in the CRESST detectors. Results are also presented from the application of a semi-empirical model to describe the light yield distribution of electrons/gammas, α-particles and nuclear recoils.    «

The major objectives of the work described in this dissertation were to gain a better understanding of the backgrounds in the CRESST experiment and to study how to reduce them from their present levels. A major contribution in the energy region of interest was identified as coming from the metal clamps used to hold the scintillators in place. On the basis of this study, different clamp designs were developed and tested in the test facility at Gran Sasso with the goal of minimizing clamp-related...    »