Date: Wednesday 10th November 2004
Title: The UK Search for Dark Matter
Speaker: Dr Roland Luscher
Abstract
The BDMC (Boulby Dark Matter Collaboration) is running a WIMP Dark Matter research programme based on (1) liquid Xenon (LXe) as the WIMP target and (2) directionnal detection in low pressure gas detectors. Zeplin-1 is a 3.1kg of LXe scintillation detector with a background discrimination based on Pulse Shape Analysis. Further generation setups with improved background discrimination tools - as the ionisation is also recorded - are in commissioning: Zeplin-2 and 3, with predicted sensitivity to rates of 0.1-0.01 events/kg/day, are important steps towards the design of a ton-scale LXe Dark Matter detector array. The Drift programme relies on discrimination by tracking (track length to energy deposition ratio) and directionnal detection. This enables to measure any daily modulation, as the earth's rotation changes the flux angle of Galactic WIMPs. A low pressure 1m3 chamber (Drift-1) has been a proof of feasibility by being operated underground for now over 2 year. A modular setup with increased volume and spatial resolution (enabling to increase the pressure, hence the target mass) is in construction and installation of a first module is imminent.
This Particle Physics Seminar will take place in Seminar Room 2 (room 106), Physics West, at 1315. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be served at 1300.