The Search for Light Dark Matter with DAMIC

有强有力的宇宙学和天体物理学证据表明冷暗物质是宇宙的主要组成部分。一个令人信服的解释是迄今为止未知的弱相互作用大质量粒子（wimp）的存在，世界范围内正在进行的实验努力正在验证这一假设。迄今为止，暗物质的性质难以捉摸，但它构成了科学中最基本的问题之一。它作为一种未知粒子的发现将对我们对宇宙的理解产生深远的影响，并为粒子物理学和宇宙学开辟新的方向。有了这个奖项，DAMIC计划将通过探测由轻DM电荷耦合器件（ccd）引起的核和电子反冲来寻找超越重WIMP假设的DM候选者。目前在SNOLAB运行的DAMIC实验已经证明了对低质量DM粒子的独特灵敏度。身临其境的研究体验、当地社区的参与和创新的伙伴关系将把DM科学带给正式和非正式的受众。与关注代表性不足群体的项目（如芝加哥大学和菲斯克-范德比尔特桥）合作开发的研究经验将增强研究生和本科生水平的多样性。当地社区将广泛参与芝加哥的活动，将芝加哥大学的高中生纳入空间探索者计划和STEM科学探究与研究计划，在一个刺激的研究环境中，通过加强芝加哥大学中学生的RISE计划，并通过终身学习计划向老年人传播科学。到2018年底，SNOLAB的DAMIC将在寻找低质量（质子质量的5倍）wimp方面走在前列。DAMIC- m将充分利用DAMIC在SNOLAB的经验，同时通过彻底创新探测器技术，在灵敏度上实现巨大飞跃。它的3600万像素的ccd将是有史以来最大的，每块20克。一种新的信号读出概念——基于重复的、不相关的像素电荷测量的平均——将导致对单个电子的高分辨率检测。通过在极低漏电流的检测器中计算单个电荷-这是任何其他DM实验无法比拟的组合- DAMIC-M将在探索隐藏部分方面开辟新路，这可能会获得偶然发现的奖励。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

There is strong cosmological and astrophysical evidence for cold dark matter as a major constituent of the universe. A compelling explanation is the existence of hitherto unknown Weakly-Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs), and a world-wide experimental effort is on-going to test this hypothesis. The nature of Dark Matter, so far elusive, constitutes one of the most fundamental questions in science. Its discovery as a yet unknown particle would have profound implications in our understanding of the universe, and open new directions in particle physics and cosmology. With this award the DAMIC program will search for DM candidates beyond the heavy WIMP hypothesis by detecting nuclear and electronic recoils induced by light DM in charge coupled devices (CCDs). The DAMIC experiment currently in operation at SNOLAB has demonstrated unique sensitivity for low-mass DM particles. Immersive research experiences, engagement of the local community and innovative partnerships will bring DM science to formal and informal audiences. Research experiences developed in collaboration with programs focused on underrepresented groups - e.g., U. Chicago and Fisk-Vanderbilt Bridge - will enhance diversity at the graduate and undergraduate levels. The local community will be broadly engaged in Chicago by integrating high school URM students of the Space Explorers Program and of the STEM Science Inquiry and Research program in a stimulating research environment, by enhancing the RISE program for URM middle-school students and by communicating science to older adults via the Life-long Learning program.DAMIC at SNOLAB will stride to the forefront in the search for low-mass (5 times the proton mass) WIMPs by the end of 2018. DAMIC-M will capitalize on the DAMIC experience at SNOLAB and, at the same time, take a giant leap forward in sensitivity by radically innovating the detector technology. Its 36 Mpixel CCDs will be the most massive ever built, 20 g each. A novel concept for signal readout - based on the averaging of repetitive, uncorrelated measurements of the pixel charge - will result in the high-resolution detection of single electrons. By counting individual charges in a detector with extremely low leakage current - a combination unmatched by any other DM experiment - DAMIC-M will break new ground in the exploration of the hidden sector, which may be rewarded with serendipitous discovery.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.