267 research outputs found
First results on light readout from the 1-ton ArDM liquid argon detector for dark matter searches
ArDM-1t is the prototype for a next generation WIMP detector measuring both
the scintillation light and the ionization charge from nuclear recoils in a
1-ton liquid argon target. The goal is to reach a minimum recoil energy of
30\,keVr to detect recoiling nuclei. In this paper we describe the experimental
concept and present results on the light detection system, tested for the first
time in ArDM on the surface at CERN. With a preliminary and incomplete set of
PMTs, the light yield at zero electric field is found to be between 0.3-0.5
phe/keVee depending on the position within the detector volume, confirming our
expectations based on smaller detector setups.Comment: 14 pages, 10 figures, v2 accepted for publication in JINS
The ArDM experiment
The aim of the ArDM project is the development and operation of a one ton
double-phase liquid argon detector for direct Dark Matter searches. The
detector measures both the scintillation light and the ionization charge from
ionizing radiation using two independent readout systems. This paper briefly
describes the detector concept and presents preliminary results from the ArDM
R&D program, including a 3 l prototype developed to test the charge readout
system.Comment: Proceedings of the Epiphany 2010 Conference, to be published in Acta
Physica Polonica
Radiogenic and Muon-Induced Backgrounds in the LUX Dark Matter Detector
The Large Underground Xenon (LUX) dark matter experiment aims to detect rare
low-energy interactions from Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs). The
radiogenic backgrounds in the LUX detector have been measured and compared with
Monte Carlo simulation. Measurements of LUX high-energy data have provided
direct constraints on all background sources contributing to the background
model. The expected background rate from the background model for the 85.3 day
WIMP search run is
~events~keV~kg~day
in a 118~kg fiducial volume. The observed background rate is
~events~keV~kg~day,
consistent with model projections. The expectation for the radiogenic
background in a subsequent one-year run is presented.Comment: 18 pages, 12 figures / 17 images, submitted to Astropart. Phy
After LUX: The LZ Program
The LZ program consists of two stages of direct dark matter searches using
liquid Xe detectors. The first stage will be a 1.5-3 tonne detector, while the
last stage will be a 20 tonne detector. Both devices will benefit tremendously
from research and development performed for the LUX experiment, a 350 kg liquid
Xe dark matter detector currently operating at the Sanford Underground
Laboratory. In particular, the technology used for cryogenics and electrical
feedthroughs, circulation and purification, low-background materials and
shielding techniques, electronics, calibrations, and automated control and
recovery systems are all directly scalable from LUX to the LZ detectors.
Extensive searches for potential background sources have been performed, with
an emphasis on previously undiscovered background sources that may have a
significant impact on tonne-scale detectors. The LZ detectors will probe
spin-independent interaction cross sections as low as 5E-49 cm2 for 100 GeV
WIMPs, which represents the ultimate limit for dark matter detection with
liquid xenon technology.Comment: Conference proceedings from APS DPF 2011. 9 pages, 6 figure
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