13 research outputs found
LIME -- a gas TPC prototype for directional Dark Matter search for the CYGNO experiment
The CYGNO experiment aims at the development of a large gaseous TPC with
GEM-based amplification and an optical readout by means of PMTs and scientific
CMOS cameras for 3D tracking down to O(keV) energies, for the directional
detection of rare events such as low mass Dark Matter and solar neutrino
interactions. The largest prototype built so far towards the realisation of the
CYGNO experiment demonstrator is the 50 L active volume LIME, with 4 PMTs and a
single sCMOS imaging a 3333 cm\textsuperscript{2} area for 50 cm drift,
that has been installed in underground Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso in
February 2022. We will illustrate LIME performances as evaluated overground in
Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati by means of radioactive X-ray sources, and in
particular the detector stability, energy response and energy resolution. We
will discuss the MC simulation developed to reproduce the detector response and
show the comparison with actual data. We will furthermore examine the
background simulation worked out for LIME underground data taking and
illustrate the foreseen expected measurement and results in terms of natural
and materials intrinsic radioactivity characterisation and measurement of the
LNGS underground natural neutron flux. The results that will be obtained by
underground LIME installation will be paramount in the optimisation of the
CYGNO demonstrator, since this is foreseen to be composed by multiple modules
with the same LIME dimensions and characteristics
Technical Design Report - TDR CYGNO-04/INITIUM
The aim of this Technical Design Report is to illustrate the technological choices foreseen to be implemented in the construction of the CYGNO-04 demonstrator, motivate them against the experiment physics goals of CYGNO-30 and demonstrate the financial sustainability of the project. CYGNO-04 represents PHASE 1 of the long term CYGNO roadmap, towards the development of large high precision tracking gaseous Time Projection Chamber (TPC) for directional Dark Matter searches and solar neutrino spectroscopy.
The CYGNO project1 peculiarities reside in the optical readout of the light produced during the amplification of the primary ionization electrons in a stack of triple Gas Electron Multipliers (GEMs), thanks to the nice scintillation properties of the chosen He:CF4 gas mixture. To this aim, CYGNO is exploiting the fast progress in commercial scientific Active Pixel Sensors (APS) development for highly performing sCMOS cameras, whose high granularity and sensitivity allow to significantly boost tracking, improve particle identification and lower the energy threshold. The X-Y track project obtained from the reconstruction of the sCMOS images is combined with a PMT measurement to obtain a full 3D track reconstruction.
In addition, several synergic R&Ds based on the CYGNO experimental approach are under development in the CYGNO collaboration (see Sec 2) to further enhance the light yield by means of electro luminescence after the amplification stage, to improve the tracking performances by exploiting negative ion drift operation within the INITIUM ERC Consolidator Grant, and to boost the sensitivity to O(GeV) Dark Matter masses by employing hydrogen rich target towards the development of PHASE 2 (see Sec. 1.2).
While still under optimization and subject to possible significant improvements, the CYGNO experimental approach performances and capabilities demonstrated so far with prototypes allow to foresee the development of an O(30) m3 experiment by 2026 for a cost of O(10) MEUROs. A CYGNO-30 experiment would be able to give a significant contribution to the search and study of Dark Matter with masses below 10 GeV/c2 for both SI and SD coupling. In case of a Dark Matter observation claim by other experiments, the information provided by a directional detector such as CYGNO would be fundamental to positively confirm the galactic origin of the allegedly detected Dark Matter signal. CYGNO-30 could furthermore provide the first directional measurement of solar neutrinos from the pp chain, possibly extending to lower energies the Borexino measurement2.
In order to reach this goal, the CYGNO project is proceeding through a staged approach. The PHASE 0 50 L detector (LIME, recently installed underground LNGS) will validate the full performances of the optical readout via APS commercial cameras and PMTs and the Montecarlo simulation of the expected backgrounds.
The full CYGNO-04 demonstrator will be realized with all the technological and material choices foreseen for CYGNO-30, to demonstrate the scalability of the experimental approach and the potentialities of the large PHASE 2 detector to reach the expected physics goals.
The first PHASE 1 design anticipated a 1 m3 active volume detector with two back-to-back TPCs with a central cathode and 500 mm drift length. Each 1 m2 readout area would have been composed by 9 + 9 readout modules having the LIME PHASE 0 dimensions and layout. Time (end of INITIUM project by March 2025) and current space availability at underground LNGS (only Hall F) forced the rescaling of the PHASE 1 active volume and design to a 0.4 m3, hence CYGNO-04. CYGNO-04 will keep the back-to-back double TPC layout with 500 mm drift length each, but with an 800 x 500 mm2 readout area covered by a 2 + 2 modules based on LIME design. The reduction of the detector volume has no impact on the technological objectives of PHASE 1, since the modular design with central cathode, detector materials and shieldings and auxiliary systems are independent of the total volume. The physics reach (which is a byproduct of PHASE 1 and NOT an explicit goal) will be only very partially reduced (less than a factor 2 overall) since a smaller detector volume implies also a reduced background from internal materials radioactivity. In addition, the cost reduction of CYGNO-04 of about 1â3 with respect to CYGNO-1 illustrated in the CDR effectively makes the overall project more financially sustainable (see CBS in the last section).
In summary this document will explain:
the physical motivation of the CYGNO project and the technical motivations of the downscale of the PHASE 1 to CYGNO-04, 400 liters of active volume, with respect to the demonstrator presented in the CDR;
the results of R&D and the Montecarlo expectations for PHASE 0;
the technical choices, procedures and the executive drawings of CYGNO-04 in the Hall F of the LNGS;
safety evaluations and the interference/request to the LNGS services;
Project management, WBS/WBC, WP, GANTT, ec
The CYGNO Experiment
The search for a novel technology able to detect and reconstruct nuclear and
electron recoil events with the energy of a few keV has become more and more
important now that large regions of high-mass dark matter (DM) candidates have
been excluded. Moreover, a detector sensitive to incoming particle direction
will be crucial in the case of DM discovery to open the possibility of studying
its properties. Gaseous time projection chambers (TPC) with optical readout are
very promising detectors combining the detailed event information provided by
the TPC technique with the high sensitivity and granularity of
latest-generation scientific light sensors. The CYGNO experiment (a CYGNus
module with Optical readout) aims to exploit the optical readout approach of
multiple-GEM structures in large volume TPCs for the study of rare events as
interactions of low-mass DM or solar neutrinos. The combined use of
high-granularity sCMOS cameras and fast light sensors allows the reconstruction
of the 3D direction of the tracks, offering good energy resolution and very
high sensitivity in the few keV energy range, together with a very good
particle identification useful for distinguishing nuclear recoils from
electronic recoils. This experiment is part of the CYGNUS proto-collaboration,
which aims at constructing a network of underground observatories for
directional DM search. A one cubic meter demonstrator is expected to be built
in 2022/23 aiming at a larger scale apparatus (30 m--100 m) at a later
stage
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Effect of Hydrocortisone on Mortality and Organ Support in Patients With Severe COVID-19: The REMAP-CAP COVID-19 Corticosteroid Domain Randomized Clinical Trial.
Importance: Evidence regarding corticosteroid use for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is limited. Objective: To determine whether hydrocortisone improves outcome for patients with severe COVID-19. Design, Setting, and Participants: An ongoing adaptive platform trial testing multiple interventions within multiple therapeutic domains, for example, antiviral agents, corticosteroids, or immunoglobulin. Between March 9 and June 17, 2020, 614 adult patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 were enrolled and randomized within at least 1 domain following admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) for respiratory or cardiovascular organ support at 121 sites in 8 countries. Of these, 403 were randomized to open-label interventions within the corticosteroid domain. The domain was halted after results from another trial were released. Follow-up ended August 12, 2020. Interventions: The corticosteroid domain randomized participants to a fixed 7-day course of intravenous hydrocortisone (50 mg or 100 mg every 6 hours) (nâ=â143), a shock-dependent course (50 mg every 6 hours when shock was clinically evident) (nâ=â152), or no hydrocortisone (nâ=â108). Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary end point was organ support-free days (days alive and free of ICU-based respiratory or cardiovascular support) within 21 days, where patients who died were assigned -1 day. The primary analysis was a bayesian cumulative logistic model that included all patients enrolled with severe COVID-19, adjusting for age, sex, site, region, time, assignment to interventions within other domains, and domain and intervention eligibility. Superiority was defined as the posterior probability of an odds ratio greater than 1 (threshold for trial conclusion of superiority >99%). Results: After excluding 19 participants who withdrew consent, there were 384 patients (mean age, 60 years; 29% female) randomized to the fixed-dose (nâ=â137), shock-dependent (nâ=â146), and no (nâ=â101) hydrocortisone groups; 379 (99%) completed the study and were included in the analysis. The mean age for the 3 groups ranged between 59.5 and 60.4 years; most patients were male (range, 70.6%-71.5%); mean body mass index ranged between 29.7 and 30.9; and patients receiving mechanical ventilation ranged between 50.0% and 63.5%. For the fixed-dose, shock-dependent, and no hydrocortisone groups, respectively, the median organ support-free days were 0 (IQR, -1 to 15), 0 (IQR, -1 to 13), and 0 (-1 to 11) days (composed of 30%, 26%, and 33% mortality rates and 11.5, 9.5, and 6 median organ support-free days among survivors). The median adjusted odds ratio and bayesian probability of superiority were 1.43 (95% credible interval, 0.91-2.27) and 93% for fixed-dose hydrocortisone, respectively, and were 1.22 (95% credible interval, 0.76-1.94) and 80% for shock-dependent hydrocortisone compared with no hydrocortisone. Serious adverse events were reported in 4 (3%), 5 (3%), and 1 (1%) patients in the fixed-dose, shock-dependent, and no hydrocortisone groups, respectively. Conclusions and Relevance: Among patients with severe COVID-19, treatment with a 7-day fixed-dose course of hydrocortisone or shock-dependent dosing of hydrocortisone, compared with no hydrocortisone, resulted in 93% and 80% probabilities of superiority with regard to the odds of improvement in organ support-free days within 21 days. However, the trial was stopped early and no treatment strategy met prespecified criteria for statistical superiority, precluding definitive conclusions. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02735707
Dispositivo multiplicador de electrones micromecanizado para detecciĂłn de partĂculas ionizantes, sistema de detecciĂłn de partĂculas ionizantes y mĂ©todo de fabricaciĂłn del dispositivo
Dispositivo multiplicador (1) de electrones micromecanizado y apilable para la detecciĂłn de partĂculas ionizantes que comprende un sustrato sĂłlido con una cavidad central micromecanizada (14) en el centro de la cara inferior del sustrato definiendo un contorno perimĂ©trico de soporte del sustrato (12) alrededor de la cavidad y una pluralidad de orificios pasantes micromecanizados (13) situados en correspondencia con la cavidad (14); una primera capa dielĂ©ctrica aislante (17) depositada sobre todas las superficies del sustrato solido; un primer electrodo metĂĄlico de polarizaciĂłn (15) situado sobre la cara superior de la primera capa elĂ©ctrica aislante (17); y un segundo electrodo metĂĄlico de polarizaciĂłn (16) situado sobre la cara inferior de la primera capa elĂ©ctrica aislante (17).Peer reviewedConsejo Superior de Investigaciones CientĂficas (España), Centro Brasileño de Investigaciones FĂsicasA1 Solicitud de patente con informe sobre el estado de la tĂ©cnic
Micro-machined electron multiplier for detecting ionising particles, system for detecting ionising particles, and method for producing said device
Dispositivo multiplicador (1) de electrones micromecanizado y apilable para la detecciĂłn de partĂculas ionizantes que comprende un sustrato sĂłlido con una cavidad central micromecanizada (14) en el centro de la cara inferior del sustrato definiendo un contorno perimĂ©trico de soporte del sustrato (12) alrededor de la cavidad y una pluralidad de orificios pasantes micromecanizados (13) situados en correspondencia con la cavidad (14); una primera capa dielĂ©ctrica aislante (17) depositada sobre todas las superficies del sustrato solido; un primer electrodo metĂĄlico de polarizaciĂłn (15) situado sobre la cara superior de la primera capa elĂ©ctrica aislante (17); y un segundo electrodo metĂĄlico de polarizaciĂłn (16) situado sobre la cara inferior de la primera capa elĂ©ctrica aislante (17).Peer reviewedConsejo Superior de Investigaciones CientĂficas (España), Centro Brasileño de Investigaciones FĂsicasA1 Solicitud de patente con informe sobre el estado de la tĂ©cnic
Directional Dark Matter Searches with CYGNO
The CYGNO project aims at developing a high resolution Time Projection Chamber with optical readout for directional dark matter searches and solar neutrino spectroscopy. Peculiar CYGNOâs features are the 3D tracking capability provided by the combination of photomultipliers and scientific CMOS camera signals, combined with a helium-fluorine-based gas mixture at atmospheric pressure amplified by gas electron multipliers structures. In this paper, the performances achieved with CYGNO prototypes and the prospects for the upcoming underground installation at Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso of a 50-L detector in fall 2021 will be discussed, together with the plans for a 1-m3 experiment. The synergy with the ERC consolidator, grant project INITIUM, aimed at realising negative ion drift operation within the CYGNO 3D optical approach, will be further illustrated
LIME. A gas TPC prototype for directional Dark Matter search for the CYGNO experiment
The CYGNO experiment aims at the development of a large gaseous TPC with GEM-based amplification and an optical readout
by means of PMTs and scientific CMOS cameras for 3D tracking down to O(keV) energies, for the directional detection of rare
events such as low mass Dark Matter and solar neutrino interactions. The largest prototype built so far towards the realisation of the
CYGNO experiment demonstrator is the 50 L active volume LIME, with 4 PMTs and a single sCMOS imaging a 33Ă33 cm2 area for
50 cm drift, that has been installed in underground Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso in February 2022. We will illustrate LIME
performances as evaluated overground in Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati by means of radioactive X-ray sources, and in particular
the detector stability, energy response and energy resolution. We will discuss the MC simulation developed to reproduce the detector
response and show the comparison with actual data. We will furthermore examine the background simulation worked out for LIME
underground data taking and illustrate the foreseen expected measurement and results in terms of natural and materials intrinsic
radioactivity characterisation and measurement of the LNGS underground natural neutron flux. The results that will be obtained
by underground LIME installation will be paramount in the optimisation of the CYGNO demonstrator, since this is foreseen to be
composed by multiple modules with the same LIME dimensions and characteristic
The CYGNO experiment, a directional detector for direct Dark Matter searches
The CYGNO project aims at the development of a high precision optical readout gaseous Tima Projection Chamber (TPC) for directional dark matter (DM) searches, to be hosted at Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso (LNGS). CYGNO employs a He:CF gas mixture at atmospheric pressure with a Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) based amplification structure coupled to an optical readout comprised of sCMOS cameras and photomultiplier tubes (PMTs). This experimental setup allows to achieve 3D tracking and background rejection down to O(1) keV energy, to boost sensitivity to low WIMP masses. The characteristics of the optical readout approach in terms of the light yield will be illustrated along with the particle identification properties. The project timeline foresees, in the next 2â3 years, the realisation and installation of a 0.4 m3 TPC in the underground laboratories at LNGS to act as a demonstrator. Finally, the studies of the expected DM sensitivities of the CYGNO demonstrator will be presented
A 50Â l
The nature of dark matter is still unknown and an experimental program to look for dark matter particles in our Galaxy should extend its sensitivity to light particles in the GeV mass range and exploit the directional information of the DM particle motion (Vahsen et al. in CYGNUS: feasibility of a nuclear recoil observatory with directional sensitivity to dark matter and neutrinos, arXiv:2008.1258