  The CDEX Collaboration has been established for direct detection of light
dark matter particles, using ultra-low energy threshold p-type point-contact
germanium detectors, in China JinPing underground Laboratory (CJPL). The first
1 kg point-contact germanium detector with a sub-keV energy threshold has been
tested in a passive shielding system located in CJPL. The outputs from both the
point-contact p+ electrode and the outside n+ electrode make it possible to
scan the lower energy range of less than 1 keV and at the same time to detect
the higher energy range up to 3 MeV. The outputs from both p+ and n+ electrode
may also provide a more powerful method for signal discrimination for dark
matter experiment. Some key parameters, including energy resolution, dead time,
decay times of internal X-rays, and system stability, have been tested and
measured. The results show that the 1 kg point-contact germanium detector,
together with its shielding system and electronics, can run smoothly with good
performances. This detector system will be deployed for dark matter search
experiments.
