Searching for dark matter with the DarkSide direct detection experiment

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The DarkSide-20k experiment is a new experiment aiming to detect dark matter via elastic scattering of dark matter particles from space on argon nuclei in the detector. This interaction results in an energy deposit in the keV-MeV range in the dual-phase liquid argon which produces a scintillation signal and an ionisation signal. Together these signals are used to provide powerful pulse shape discrimination allowing separation of nuclear recoils expected from dark matter interactions from background processes faking these signals. This project aims to define and optimise the expected sensitivity of dark matter signals in this experiment through the development of new multivariate data workflows and statistical analysis that incorporate maximal information about the detector and signal/background models. These methods will be performed with reproducibility and the reinterpretation potential of analysed data in mind. The potential for DarkSide-20k to be sensitive to a range of non-standard dark matter interaction models will be studied, and the developed workflows will be optimized to maximize sensitivity across the theoretical model space. To support this effort, the student will develop and improve existing simulations of light emission, transport, and detection in DarkSide from dark matter and radioactive background processes. As part of this work, the student will contribute to the assembly of these cutting-edge prototype detectors, participate in data-taking shifts with the prototype, and subsequently analyse data characterising these sensors toward updating simulations and contributing to the commissioning of sensors for the DarkSide-20k experiment.