TREX-DM: a low background Micromegas-based TPC for low-mass WIMP detection

14th International Conference on Topics in Astroparticle and Underground Physics

物理学;天文学

Iguaz, F.J.^1 ; Garza, J.G.^1,2 ; Aznar, F.^1 ; Castel, J.F.^1 ; Cebrián, S.^1 ; Dafni, T.^1 ; García, J.A.^1 ; Irastorza, I.G.^1 ; Lagraba, A.^1 ; Luzón, G.^1 ; Peiró, A.^1

Laboratorio de Fíasica Nuclear y Astropartíaculas, Universidad de Zaragoza, Spain^1

Centro Universitario de la Defensa, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain^2

关键词: Active detection;    Background model;    Detection techniques;    Energy thresholds;    GEANT4 simulation;    Low energy thresholds;    Radiopure materials;    Underground laboratory;   

Others  :  https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1742-6596/718/4/042026/pdf
DOI  :  10.1088/1742-6596/718/4/042026

学科分类：天文学(综合)

来源: IOP

【 摘 要 】

Dark Matter experiments are recently focusing their detection techniques in low-mass WIMPs, which requires the use of light elements and low energy threshold. In this context, we describe the TREX-DM experiment, a low background Micromegas-based TPC for low-mass WIMP detection. Its main goal is the operation of an active detection mass ∼0.3 kg, with an energy threshold below 0.4 keVee and fully built with previously selected radiopure materials. This work describes the commissioning of the actual setup situated in a laboratory on surface and the updates needed for a possible physics run at the Canfranc Underground Laboratory (LSC) in 2016. A preliminary background model of TREX-DM is also presented, based on a Geant4 simulation, the simulation of the detector's response and two discrimination methods: a conservative muon/electron and one based on a neutron source. Based on this background model, TREX-DM could be competitive in the search for low-mass WIMPs. In particular it could be sensitive, e.g., to the low-mass WIMP interpretation of the DAMA/LIBRA and other hints in a conservative scenario.