Using an InGrid Detector to Search for Solar Chameleons with CAST

2015/09/04 by K. Desch, J. Kamiński, Desch, Klaus +5
Engineering · Physics and Astronomy · #CCD and CMOS Imaging Sensors #Dark Matter and Cosmic Phenomena #FOS: Physical sciences #Instrumentation and Detectors (physics.ins-det) #Particle Detector Development and Performance

paper · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1509.01418

openalex publication_date 2015/09/04 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29

Abstract

We report on the construction, operation experience, and preliminary background measurements of an InGrid detector, i.e. a MicroMegas detector with CMOS pixel readout. The detector was mounted in the focal plane of the Abrixas X-Ray telescope at the CAST experiment at CERN. The detector is sensitive to soft X-Rays in a broad energy range (0.3--10 keV) and thus enables the search for solar chameleons. Smooth detector operation during CAST data taking in autumn 2014 has been achieved. Preliminary analysis of background data indicates a background rate of 1-5× 10^-5 keV^-1cm^-2s^-1 above 2 keV and ∼ 3× 10^-4 keV^-1cm^-2s^-1 around 1 keV. An expected limit of β_γ\lesssim 5× 10¹⁰ on the chameleon photon coupling is estimated in case of absence of an excess in solar tracking data. We also discuss the prospects for future operation of the detector.

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