Collaborative Research: The Search for Light Dark Matter with DAMIC

暗物质是我们宇宙中无处不在但不可见的存在，约占总质量的85%。 它在像星系这样的大尺度结构的形成和观察到的恒星运动中起着至关重要的作用。它的真实性质仍然难以捉摸，一个令人信服的解释是，它是由迄今未知的粒子组成的，这些粒子与普通物质的相互作用很弱。探测它们需要非常敏感的实验，这些实验安装在地下深处，以屏蔽普通宇宙射线的更大通量。DAMIC实验旨在探测电荷耦合器件（CCD）中暗物质引起的核反冲和电子反冲。科学CCD通常用于天文望远镜的焦平面，用于微弱天体的数字成像。DAMIC开创了它们作为暗物质探测器的非常规用途。该奖项支持参与芝加哥大学和华盛顿大学的DAMIC实验。这些小组将开发和测试CCD模块，并在地下实验室安装和调试DAMIC探测器，以分析第一批暗物质搜索数据。作为该奖项的一部分，这些团体将提供身临其境的研究体验，当地社区和公众的参与，以及将科学带给正式和非正式受众的创新伙伴关系。暗物质的性质构成了科学中最基本的问题之一，而一种未知粒子的发现将对我们理解宇宙产生深远的影响。第一个DAMIC CCD探测器已在加拿大萨德伯里附近的SNOLAB实验室成功运行。 一个公斤大小的探测器- DAMIC-M -现在正在开发中，由于一种新型的CCD可以检测单个电离电荷，它将对轻暗物质（质量小于质子）具有独特的敏感性。 DAMIC-M将安装在法国Modane的Souterrain。除了CCD探测器的开发外，获得该奖项支持的美国团队还负责CCD控制器电子设备，并对CCD中的电子和核反冲进行校准，直到几个电离电荷的阈值。该奖项反映了NSF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。

Dark matter is a ubiquitous yet invisible presence in our universe that makes up approximately 85% of the total mass. It plays a crucial role in how large-scale structures like galaxies form and the observed motion of stars. Its true nature remains elusive, and one compelling explanation is that is made of hitherto unknown particles which interact weakly with ordinary matter. Very sensitive experiments are required for their detection, installed deep underground to shield the much larger flux of ordinary cosmic rays. The DAMIC experiment is designed to detect nuclear and electronic recoils induced by dark matter in charge coupled devices (CCDs). Scientific CCDs are commonly used in the focal plane of astronomical telescopes for the digital imaging of faint astrophysical objects. DAMIC has pioneered their unconventional use as dark matter detectors. This award supports the participation in the DAMIC experiment of the groups at University of Chicago and University of Washington. The groups will carry out the development and testing of the CCD modules, and the installation and commissioning of DAMIC detectors in the underground laboratories toward the analysis of the first dark matter search data. As a part of the award, the groups will provide immersive research experiences, engagement of the local community and the general public, and innovative partnerships bringing science to formal and informal audiences. The nature of dark matter constitutes one of the most fundamental questions in science and the discovery of a yet unknown particle would have profound implications in our understanding of the Universe. First DAMIC CCD detectors have successfully been operated at the SNOLAB laboratory near Sudbury, Canada. A kg-size detector – DAMIC-M – is now in development and will be uniquely sensitive to light dark matter (with mass smaller than that of a proton) thanks to a novel type of CCD that allows the detection of a single ionization charge. DAMIC-M will be installed at Laboratoire Souterrain de Modane in France. In addition to the development of the CCD detectors, the US groups supported in this award are also responsible for the CCD controller electronics, and perform calibrations of electronic and nuclear recoils in the CCDs down to a threshold of a few ionization charges.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.