Development of the LZ Dark Matter Experiment

LZ暗物质实验的进展

• 批准号: 1242579
• 负责人: Thomas Shutt
• 金额: $ 110.7万
• 依托单位: Case Western Reserve University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2012
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2012-09-01 至 2016-06-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1242579&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Development; LZ; Dark; Matter; Experiment

A broad range of astrophysical and cosmological observations indicates that 80% of the matter in the universe is in a new form which does not emit or absorb light, and has not yet been encountered in the laboratory. Many physics models suggest that the dark matter may be composed of one or more previously unobserved Weakly Interacting Massive Particles, or WIMPs. The astrophysical detection of such a particle through its interactions in a terrestrial particle detector would have a profound impact on cosmology and fundamental interactions, while also giving rise to a new type of observational astrophysics. This work supports key research and development and design efforts toward construction of a 7-ton liquid Xenon dark matter detector, known as 'LZ', to be installed at the 4850 level of the Sanford Underground Research Facility in Lead, South Dakota. This detector will use established liquid Xenon Time Projection Chamber technology with read out of primary and secondary scintillation signals for particle identification, together with 3-d position reconstruction to exploit the self-shielding of the liquid Xenon, removal of surface artifacts and calibration of position-dependent response functions. The experiment will take advantage of existing infrastructure and detector components from the LUX experiment, which is currently being deployed into the mine, allowing a rapid turn-around at the conclusion of that experiment's life. Broader Impacts By exploiting the natural curiosity of the public in dark matter as well as the connection and familiarity with gravity, this project will provide a rich environment in which to develop a range of activities from tours and displays to partnerships with local schools and individuals, aimed at fostering an interest in science and science careers. Through both LUX and LZ programs, the collaboration will continue to play a key role in the efforts at Sanford in education and public outreach programs. Dark matter science also demands the development of new technologies that are ultra-sensitive to radiation and new methods for achieving ultra-low radioactive backgrounds. There is direct overlap with the methods used in a wide range of nuclear security and medical imaging contexts. The instrument that will be developed will also provide direct educational and training benefits at the undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral levels, and will promote basic science research by providing access to non-Ph.D. granting institutions, particularly those in geographical proximity to Lead, SD.

广泛的天体物理学和宇宙学观测表明，宇宙中80%的物质是以一种不发射也不吸收光的新形式存在的，而且还没有在实验室中遇到过。许多物理模型表明，暗物质可能是由一个或多个以前未观测到的弱相互作用大质量粒子（wimp）组成的。在地面粒子探测器中通过相互作用对这种粒子进行天体物理探测，将对宇宙学和基本相互作用产生深远影响，同时也会产生一种新型的观测天体物理学。这项工作支持了关键的研发和设计工作，以建设一个7吨重的液态氙暗物质探测器，被称为“LZ”，将安装在位于南达科他州铅市的桑福德地下研究设施的4850层。该探测器将使用已建立的液态氙时间投影室技术，读取初级和次级闪烁信号进行粒子识别，以及三维位置重建，以利用液态氙的自屏蔽，去除表面伪影和校准位置相关响应函数。该实验将利用LUX实验的现有基础设施和探测器组件，该实验目前正在部署到矿山中，允许在实验生命周期结束时快速周转。通过利用公众对暗物质的天然好奇心以及对重力的联系和熟悉，该项目将提供一个丰富的环境，开展一系列活动，从参观和展示到与当地学校和个人的合作，旨在培养对科学和科学事业的兴趣。通过LUX和LZ项目，合作将继续在桑福德大学的教育和公共推广项目中发挥关键作用。暗物质科学也需要发展对辐射超敏感的新技术和实现超低放射性背景的新方法。与广泛的核安全和医学成像环境中使用的方法直接重叠。即将开发的仪器还将为本科生、研究生和博士后提供直接的教育和培训好处，并将通过为非博士提供机会来促进基础科学研究。授予机构，特别是那些在地理上接近铅，SD。