A WIMP detector with two-phase xenon

Abstract We describe an important new technique to search for WIMPs. This technique employs a method of background discrimination using double phase xenon as detector target. We describe the construction of a two-phase, 1-kg xenon detector. The detector will be installed at the underground laboratory in the Mt. Blanc tunnel, which provides a low background rate. A comparison between the sensitivity curve of our detector and the theoretical events limit from SUSY calculations is presented

CVD diamond sensor for UV-photon detection

A new generation of UV photosensors, based on single crystal Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) diamonds to work optically coupled with large volume two-phase liquid-Ar (LAr) or liquid-Xe (LXe) detectors nowadays under design for the next generation of WIMPs experiments, is under development. Preliminary tests and first calibrations show these devices can have better performance than the existing UV sensitive detectors (higher photosensitivity and better signal-to-noise ratio). I-V characteristics, dark current measurements, linearity response to X-ray irradiation, and alpha-particle energy resolution are reported and discussed. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

The ICARUS 50 1 LAr TPC in the CERN ν\nu beam

The 50 litre liquid Argon TPC is a detector built and successfully operated at CERN for R&D purposes within the ICARUS programme. In the year 1997 it has been exposed at the CERN neutrino beam for the entire SPS neutrino run period as proposed and approved at the SPSLC of January 1997. The detector, complemented with scintillators acting as veto, trigger counters and pre-shower counters, was installed in front of the NOMAD detector. The year 1997 was scheduled to be the last for the operation of the West Area Neutrino Facility. It was important to take this last opportunity for a parasitic exposure, which did not interfere with running experiments, of an already existing and operating liquid Argon TPC. As we had expected, the collected data brought important information for a better understanding of the performance of liquid Argon TPCs which should be useful for the entire ICARUS program. (9 refs).The 50 liter liquid Argon TPC is a detector built and successfully operated at CERN for R&D purposes within the ICARUS programme. In the year 1997 it has been exposed at the CERN neutrino beam for the entire SPS neutrino run period as proposed and approved at the SPSLC of January 1997. The detector, complemented with scintillators acting as veto, trigger counters and pre-shower counters, was installed in front of the NOMAD detector. The year 1997 was scheduled to be the last for the operation of the West Area Neutrino Facility. It was important to take this last opportunity for a parasitic exposure, which did not interfere with running experiments, of an already existing and operating liquid Argon TPC. As we had expected, the collected data brought important information for a better understanding of the performance of liquid Argon TPC's which should be useful for the entire ICARUS program