310 research outputs found
Probing the Local Velocity Distribution of WIMP Dark Matter with Directional Detectors
We explore the ability of directional nuclear-recoil detectors to constrain
the local velocity distribution of weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP)
dark matter by performing Bayesian parameter estimation on simulated
recoil-event data sets. We discuss in detail how directional information, when
combined with measurements of the recoil-energy spectrum, helps break
degeneracies in the velocity-distribution parameters. We also consider the
possibility that velocity structures such as cold tidal streams or a dark disk
may also be present in addition to the Galactic halo. Assuming a
carbon-tetrafluoride detector with a 30-kg-yr exposure, a 50-GeV WIMP mass, and
a WIMP-nucleon spin-dependent cross-section of 0.001 pb, we show that the
properties of a cold tidal stream may be well constrained. However, measurement
of the parameters of a dark-disk component with a low lag speed of ~50 km/s may
be challenging unless energy thresholds are improved.Comment: 38 pages, 15 figure
Status of the LUX Dark Matter Search
The Large Underground Xenon (LUX) dark matter search experiment is currently
being deployed at the Homestake Laboratory in South Dakota. We will highlight
the main elements of design which make the experiment a very strong competitor
in the field of direct detection, as well as an easily scalable concept. We
will also present its potential reach for supersymmetric dark matter detection,
within various timeframes ranging from 1 year to 5 years or more.Comment: 4 pages, in proceedings of the SUSY09 conferenc
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
Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial of sublingual immunotherapy in children with house dust mite allergy in primary care: study design and recruitment
Background. For respiratory allergic disorders in children, sublingual immunotherapy has been developed as an alternative to subcutaneous immunotherapy. Sublingual immunotherapy is more convenient, has a good safety profile and might be an attractive option for use in primary care. A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study was designed to establish the ef
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