Collaborative Research: A Depleted Argon Detector for a Dark Matter Search

合作研究：用于暗物质搜索的贫氩探测器

• 批准号: 1004054
• 负责人: C J Martoff
• 金额: $ 34.29万
• 依托单位: Temple University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2010
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2010-10-01 至 2014-01-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1004054&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Collaborative; Research; Depleted; Argon; Detector

The existence of dark matter is known from gravitational effects, but its nature remains a deep mystery. One possibility motivated by other considerations in elementary particle physics is that dark matter consists of undiscovered elementary particles. Axions and Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs) are two possibilities. The thermal motion of the WIMPS comprising the dark matter halo surrounding the galaxy and the earth should result in WIMP-nuclear collisions of sufficient energy to be observable by sensitive laboratory apparatus.This award is to develop and deploy a small liquid argon detector that has high sensitivity for direct detection of WIMP collisions. This detector, DarkSide-50, builds on past experience and introduces innovative features that will allow it to operate in a background-free mode and thereby achieve a significant science result in spite of its relatively small size. At the same time, this detector will serve as a prototype for a future multi-ton detector. The main innovations being introduced:- Underground argon depleted in radioactive 39Ar;- Low background, high-quantum-efficiency QUPID photo-detectors; and- A compact high-efficiency external veto for neutrons.These innovations, together with the powerful two-parameter background rejection features of argon will result in a detector of unprecedented background-free performance. DarkSide-50 will either detect WIMP dark matter or exclude a substantial fraction of the favored parameter space. DarkSide-50 will benefit from the facility for extraction and refinement of depleted argon, independently funded by the NSF through a grant to Princeton University. Broader Impacts: this activity will advance the development of astroparticle physics and its scientific and educational mission in a variety of ways: (1) it will offer an excellent opportunity for the training of students, who will have a chance to contribute to the success of a cutting edge project in fundamental science and advanced engineering; (2) it will benefit society by developing techniques that could find application in areas ranging from national security to medical imaging; (3) it will support continued development of successful E&O programs such as the Princeton-Abruzzo-South Dakota summer school for high school students.

暗物质的存在是从引力效应中得知的，但它的本质仍然是一个深谜。在基本粒子物理学中，有一种可能性是由未被发现的基本粒子组成的。轴子和弱相互作用大质量粒子（wimp）是两种可能。由环绕在星系和地球周围的暗物质晕组成的wimp的热运动应该会导致足够能量的wimp -核碰撞，可以被灵敏的实验室设备观测到。该合同将开发和部署一种小型液态氩探测器，该探测器具有直接探测WIMP碰撞的高灵敏度。这台名为DarkSide-50的探测器建立在过去的经验基础上，并引入了创新功能，使其能够在无背景模式下运行，从而尽管体积相对较小，但仍能取得重要的科学成果。同时，该探测器将作为未来多吨探测器的原型。引入的主要创新：-放射性39Ar中的地下氩耗尽；-低背景、高量子效率QUPID光电探测器；和-一个紧凑高效的外部中子否决。这些创新，加上氩气强大的双参数背景抑制特性，将使探测器具有前所未有的无背景性能。DarkSide-50要么探测WIMP暗物质，要么排除很大一部分受欢迎的参数空间。DarkSide-50将受益于贫氩提取和精炼设备，该设备由美国国家科学基金会通过普林斯顿大学的拨款独立资助。更广泛的影响：这项活动将以多种方式促进天体粒子物理学及其科学和教育使命的发展：(1)它将为学生提供一个极好的培训机会，他们将有机会为基础科学和高级工程领域的前沿项目的成功做出贡献；(2)通过开发可应用于从国家安全到医学成像等领域的技术，使社会受益；(3)支持继续发展成功的e&o项目，如普林斯顿-阿布鲁佐-南达科他州高中生暑期学校。