2008/06/16 by G. Sciolla, Sciolla, G., S. P. Ahlen +29
Physics and Astronomy · #Astrophysics (astro-ph) #Atomic and Subatomic Physics Research #Cold Atom Physics and Bose-Einstein Condensates #FOS: Physical sciences #Mechanical and Optical Resonators
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.0806.2673
openalex publication_date 2008/06/16 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
Directional detection can provide unambiguous observation of Dark Matter interactions even in presence of insidious backgrounds. The DM-TPC collaboration is developing a detector with the goal of measuring the direction and sense of nuclear recoils produced in Dark Matter interactions. The detector consists of a Time Projection Chamber with optical readout filled with CF4 gas at low pressure. A collision between a WIMP and a gas molecule results in a nuclear recoil of 1-2 mm. The measurement of the energy loss along the recoil allows us to determine the sense and the direction of the recoil. Results from a prototype detector operated in a low-energy neutron beam clearly demonstrate the suitability of this approach to measure directionality. A cubic meter prototype, which is now being designed, will allow us to set competitive limits on spin-dependent Dark Matter interactions using a directional detector.