The Noble Element Simulation Technique (NEST): Recent Updates and Improvements

Noble element detectors (two-phase emission detectors, liquid phase-only detectors, etc.) have many applications in modern research. For example, they are broadly used in dark matter registration, non-standard neutrino interactions searches and even Standard Model processes observation (for example, coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CEvNS) studies). Modeling signal generation from these complicated interactions requires precise simulations. The main problem of modeling such phenomena is that various theoretical predictions are inconsistent with each other and compared to experimental data. The Noble Element Simulation Technique (NEST) provides a semi-empirical solution for modeling xenon and argon detector response by combining theoretical models (such as Lindhard and its variations) and actual experimental data. NEST can simulate not only the median scintillation and ionization yields for various interaction types, fields (including zero field) and energies (from sub-keV to tens of MeV), but also detector-specific response (electron extraction efficiency, basic waveforms, electron drift speed in liquid/gas phase, etc.). Currently, NEST exists in three forms: as a GEANT4 library, a separate C++ package, and a standalone Python package (nestpy). At this talk, recent NEST updates will be discussed and future plans will be presented.