167 research outputs found
Heavy Superheated Droplet Detectors as a Probe of Spin-independent WIMP Dark Matter Existence
At present, application of Superheated Droplet Detectors (SDDs) in WIMP dark
matter searches has been limited to the spin-dependent sector, owing to the
general use of fluorinated refrigerants which have high spin sensitivity. Given
their recent demonstration of a significant constraint capability with
relatively small exposures and the relative economy of the technique, we
consider the potential impact of heavy versions of such devices on the
spin-independent sector. Limits obtainable from a -loaded SDD
are estimated on the basis of the radiopurity levels and backgrounds already
achieved by the SIMPLE and PICASSO experiments. With 34 kgd exposure,
equivalent to the current CDMS, such a device may already probe to below
10 pb in the spin-independent cross section.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures, accepted Phys. Rev.
A CF3I-based SDD Prototype for Spin-independent Dark Matter Searches
The application of Superheated Droplet Detectors (SDDs) to dark matter
searches has so far been confined to the light nuclei refrigerants C2ClF5 and
C4F10 (SIMPLE and PICASSO, respectively), with a principle sensitivity to
spin-dependent interactions. Given the competitive results of these devices, as
a result of their intrinsic insensitivity to backgrounds, we have developed a
prototype trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I)-loaded SDD with increased sensitivity to
spin-independent interactions as well. A low (0.102 kgd) exposure test
operation of two high concentration, 1 liter devices is described, and the
results compared with leading experiments in both spin-dependent and
-independent sectors. Although competitive in both sectors when the difference
in exposures is accounted for, a problem with fracturing of the detector gel
must be addressed before significantly larger exposures can be envisioned.Comment: revised and updated; accepted Astrop. Phy
WIMP searches with superheated droplet detectors: Status and Prospects
SIMPLE (Superheated Instrument for Massive ParticLE searches) employs
superheated droplet detectors (SDDs) to search for Weakly Interacting Massive
Particle (WIMP) dark matter. As a result of the intrinsic SDD insensitivity to
minimum ionizing particles and high fluorine content of target liquids,
competitive WIMP limits were already obtained at the early prototype stage. We
comment here on the expected immediate increase in sensitivity of the program
and on future plans to exploit this promising technnique.Comment: 6 pages LaTeX, incl. 2 figures. Presented at the 3rd Intl. Workshop
for the Identification of Dark Matter (IDM2000), York, Sept. 200
First Results of the Phase II SIMPLE Dark Matter Search
We report results of a 14.1 kgd measurement with 15 superheated droplet
detectors of total active mass 0.208 kg, comprising the first stage of a 30 kgd
Phase II experiment. In combination with the results of the neutron-spin
sensitive XENON10 experiment, these results yield a limit of |a_p| < 0.32 for
M_W = 50 GeV/c2 on the spin-dependent sector of weakly interacting massive
particle-nucleus interactions with a 50% reduction in the previously allowed
region of the phase space formerly defined by XENON, KIMS and PICASSO. In the
spin-independent sector, a limit of 2.3x10-5 pb at M_W = 45 GeV/c2 is obtained.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures; PRL-accepted version with corrected SI contour
(Fig. 4
Final Analysis and Results of the Phase II SIMPLE Dark Matter Search
We report the final results of the Phase II SIMPLE measurements, comprising
two run stages of 15 superheated droplet detectors each, the second stage
including an improved neutron shielding. The analyses includes a refined signal
analysis, and revised nucleation efficiency based on reanalysis of
previously-reported monochromatic neutron irradiations. The combined results
yield a contour minimum of \sigma_{p} = 4.2 x 10^-3 pb at 35 GeV/c^2 on the
spin-dependent sector of WIMP-proton interactions, the most restrictive to date
from a direct search experiment and overlapping for the first time results
previously obtained only indirectly. In the spin-independent sector, a minimum
of 3.6 x 10^-6 pb at 35 GeV/c^2 is achieved, with the exclusion contour
challenging the recent CoGeNT region of current interest.Comment: revised, PRL-accepted version with slightly weakened limit contour
The SIMPLE Phase II Dark Matter Search
Phase II of SIMPLE (Superheated Instrument for Massive ParticLe Experiments)
searched for astroparticle dark matter using superheated liquid
CClF droplet detectors. Each droplet generally requires an energy
deposition with linear energy transfer (LET) 150 keV/m for a
liquid-to-gas phase transition, providing an intrinsic rejection against
minimum ionizing particles of order 10, and reducing the backgrounds to
primarily and neutron-induced recoil events. The droplet phase
transition generates a millimetric-sized gas bubble which is recorded by
acoustic means. We describe the SIMPLE detectors, their acoustic
instrumentation, and the characterizations, signal analysis and data selection
which yield a particle-induced, "true nucleation" event detection efficiency of
better than 97% at a 95% C.L. The recoil- event discrimination,
determined using detectors first irradiated with neutrons and then doped with
alpha emitters, provides a recoil identification of better than 99%; it differs
from those of COUPP and PICASSO primarily as a result of their different
liquids with lower critical LETs. The science measurements, comprising two
shielded arrays of fifteen detectors each and a total exposure of 27.77 kgd,
are detailed. Removal of the 1.94 kgd Stage 1 installation period data, which
had previously been mistakenly included in the data, reduces the science
exposure from 20.18 to 18.24 kgd and provides new contour minima of
= 4.3 10 pb at 35 GeV/c in the
spin-dependent sector of WIMP-proton interactions and = 3.6
10 pb at 35 GeV/c in the spin-independent sector. These
results are examined with respect to the fluorine spin and halo parameters used
in the previous data analysis.Comment: 20 pages, 19 figures; accepted Physical Review
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