Data Analysis of the MiniCLEAN Dark Matter Experiment

暗物质的识别是我们这个时代的主要科学挑战之一。弱相互作用大质量粒子（wimp）是可能的候选者。预计WIMP暗物质的发现和理解将需要非常大的目标质量。该合同将支持MiniCLEAN探测器的工作，这是一种单相探测器，旨在扩展到大型探测器质量。MiniCLEAN遵循中微子实验的例子，其中一个单片目标体积被光电倍增管包围，外部背景的主要抑制来自探测器的自屏蔽，这使得探测器的大小成为可能。这种方法仅使用闪烁光就能探测到液态氩中WIMP相互作用产生的反冲核。单相技术的简单性允许以相对较低的成本建造非常大质量的探测器。MiniCLEAN探测器目前正在SNOLAB建造中。MIT参与了MiniCLEAN实验的多个方面，包括介子否决系统的设计和制造，中子校准系统的设计和制造，中子背景模型的模拟和验证，以及数据分析的准备。该奖项将支持麻省理工学院小组参与MiniCLEAN的调试和运营，以及随后的数据分析。更广泛的影响：MiniCLEAN实验将为学生和博士后提供培训。麻省理工学院小组积极参与麻省理工学院赞助的本科生研究机会计划（UROP），该计划为本科生参与实验研究提供了一个论坛。

The identification of dark matter is one of the major scientific challenges of our time. Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs) are possible candidates. It is expected that the discovery and understanding of WIMP dark matter will require very large target masses. This award will support work on the MiniCLEAN detector, a single-phase detector designed to scale to large detector masses. MiniCLEAN follows the example of neutrino experiments where a monolithic target volume is surrounded by photomuliplier tubes, and the primary rejection of external backgrounds comes from the self-shielding made possible by the sheer size of the detector. This approach detects recoiling nuclei from WIMP interactions in liquid argon using only scintillation light. The simplicity of the single-phase technique allows for the construction of very large mass detectors at relatively low cost. The MiniCLEAN detector is presently under construction at SNOLAB. MIT has been involved in multiple aspects of the MiniCLEAN experiment, including the design and fabrication of muon veto system, the design and fabrication of the neutron calibration system, simulation and verification of the neutron background model, and preparation for data analysis. This award will support the MIT group's involvement in commissioning and operation of MiniCLEAN, and the subsequent data analysis.Broader Impact: The MiniCLEAN experiment will provide training for students and postdocs. The MIT group actively participates in the MIT-sponsored Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP), which provides a forum for undergraduates to participate in experimental research.