83 research outputs found
Using Wavelets to reject background in Dark Matter experiments
A method based on wavelet techniques has been developed and applied to
background rejection in the data of the IGEX dark matter experiment. The method
is presented and described in some detail to show how it efficiently rejects
events coming from noise and microphonism through a mathematical inspection of
their recorded pulse shape. The result of the application of the method to the
last data of IGEX is presented.Comment: 14 pages, 8 figures. Submitted to Astrop. Phy
TREX-DM: a low background Micromegas-based TPC for low-mass WIMP detection
Dark Matter experiments are recently focusing their detection techniques in
low-mass WIMPs, which requires the use of light elements and low energy
threshold. In this context, we describe the TREX-DM experiment, a low
background Micromegas-based TPC for low-mass WIMP detection. Its main goal is
the operation of an active detection mass 0.3 kg, with an energy
threshold below 0.4 keVee and fully built with previously selected radiopure
materials. This work describes the commissioning of the actual setup situated
in a laboratory on surface and the updates needed for a possible physics run at
the Canfranc Underground Laboratory (LSC) in 2016. A preliminary background
model of TREX-DM is also presented, based on a Geant4 simulation, the
simulation of the detector's response and two discrimination methods: a
conservative muon/electron and one based on a neutron source. Based on this
background model, TREX-DM could be competitive in the search for low-mass
WIMPs. In particular it could be sensitive, e.g., to the low-mass WIMP
interpretation of the DAMA/LIBRA and other hints in a conservative scenario.Comment: Proceedings of the XIV International Conference on Topics in
Astroparticle and Underground Physics (TAUP 2015), 7-11 September 2015,
Torino, Ital
Neutron background at the Canfranc Underground Laboratory and its contribution to the IGEX-DM dark matter experiment
A quantitative study of the neutron environment in the Canfranc Underground
Laboratory has been performed. The analysis is based on a complete set of
simulations and, particularly, it is focused on the IGEX-DM dark matter
experiment. The simulations are compared to the IGEX-DM low energy data
obtained with different shielding conditions. The results of the study allow us
to conclude, with respect to the IGEX-DM background, that the main neutron
population, coming from radioactivity from the surrounding rock, is practically
eliminated after the implementation of a suitable neutron shielding. The
remaining neutron background (muon-induced neutrons in the shielding and in the
rock) is substantially below the present background level thanks to the muon
veto system. In addition, the present analysis gives us a further insight on
the effect of neutrons in other current and future experiments at the Canfranc
Underground Laboratory. The comparison of simulations with the body of data
available has allowed to set the flux of neutrons from radioactivity of the
Canfranc rock, (3.82 +- 0.44) x 10^{-6} cm^{-2} s^{-1}, as well as the flux of
muon-induced neutrons in the rock, (1.73 +- 0.22(stat) \+- 0.69(syst)) x
10^{-9} cm^{-2} s^{-1}, or the rate of neutron production by muons in the lead
shielding, (4.8 +- 0.6 (stat) +- 1.9 (syst)) x 10^{-9} cm^{-3} s^{-1}.Comment: 17 pages, 8 figures, elsart document class; final version to appear
in Astroparticle Physic
TREX-DM: a low background Micromegas-based TPC for low mass WIMP detection
Dark Matter experiments are recently focusing their detection techniques in
low-mass WIMPs, which requires the use of light elements and low energy
threshold. In this context, we present the TREX-DM experiment, a low background
Micromegas-based TPC for low-mass WIMP detection. Its main goal is the
operation of an active detection mass 0.300 kg, with an energy threshold
below 0.4 keVee and fully built with previously selected radiopure materials.
This article describes the actual setup, the first results of the comissioning
in Ar+2\%iCH at 1.2 bar and the future updates for a possible
physics run at the Canfranc Underground Laboratory in 2016. A first background
model is also presented, based on Geant4 simulations and a muon/electron
discrimination method. In a conservative scenario, TREX-DM could be sensitive
to DAMA/LIBRA and other hints of positive WIMPs signals, with some space for
improvement with a neutron/electron discrimination method or the use of other
light gases.Comment: Proceedings of the 7th Symposium on Large TPCs for Low-Energy Rare
Event Detectio
Lowering the background level and the energy threshold of Micromegas x-ray detectors for axion searches
Axion helioscopes search for solar axions by their conversion in x-rays in
the presence of high magnetic fields. The use of low background x-ray detectors
is an essential component contributing to the sensitivity of these searches. In
this work, we review the recent advances on Micromegas detectors used in the
CERN Axion Solar Telescope (CAST) and proposed for the future International
Axion Observatory (IAXO). The actual setup in CAST has achieved background
levels below 10 keV cm s, a factor 100 lower than
the first generation of Micromegas detectors. This reduction is based on active
and passive shielding techniques, the selection of radiopure materials, offline
discrimination techniques and the high granularity of the readout. We describe
in detail the background model of the detector, based on its operation at CAST
site and at the Canfranc Underground Laboratory (LSC), as well as on Geant4
simulations. The best levels currently achieved at LSC are low than 10
keV cm s and show good prospects for the application of
this technology in IAXO. Finally, we present some ideas and results for
reducing the energy threshold of these detectors below 1 keV, using
high-transparent windows, autotrigger electronics and studying the cluster
shape at different energies. As a high flux of axion-like-particles is expected
in this energy range, a sub-keV threshold detector could enlarge the physics
case of axion helioscopes.Comment: Proceedings of 3rd International Conference on Technology and
Instrumentation in Particle Physics (TIPP 2014
First results of the ROSEBUD Dark Matter experiment
Rare Objects SEarch with Bolometers UndergrounD) is an experiment which
attempts to detect low mass Weak Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs) through
their elastic scattering off Al and O nuclei. It consists of three small
sapphire bolometers (of a total mass of 100 g) with NTD-Ge sensors in a
dilution refrigerator operating at 20 mK in the Canfranc Underground
Laboratory. We report in this paper the results of several runs (of about 10
days each) with successively improved energy thresholds, and the progressive
background reduction obtained by improvement of the radiopurity of the
components and subsequent modifications in the experimental assembly, including
the addition of old lead shields. Mid-term plans and perspectives of the
experiment are also presented.Comment: 14 pages, 8 figures, submitted to Astroparticle Physic
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