Background rejection in the DMTPC dark matter search using charge signals
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Monroe_Background rejection.pdf
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Author(s)
Ahlen, S.
Inglis, A.
Tomita, H.
Wellenstein, H.
Dujmic, Denis
Battat, James
Deaconu, Cosmin
Monroe, Jocelyn
Sciolla, Gabriella
Fisher, Peter H
Date Issued
August 2012
Journal
Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
Publisher
Elsevier
Citation
Lopez, J.P., D. Dujmic, S. Ahlen, J.B.R. Battat, C. Deaconu, P. Fisher, S. Henderson, et al. “Background Rejection in the DMTPC Dark Matter Search Using Charge Signals.” Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment 696 (December 2012): 121–128.
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Author's final manuscript
Abstract
The Dark Matter Time Projection Chamber (DMTPC) collaboration is developing a low pressure gas TPC for detecting Weakly Interacting Massive Particle (WIMP)-nucleon interactions. Optical readout with CCD cameras allows for the detection of the daily modulation of the direction of the dark matter wind. In order to reach sensitivities required for WIMP detection, the detector needs to minimize backgrounds from electron recoils. This paper demonstrates that a simplified CCD analysis achieves 7.3 × 10[superscript −5] rejection of electron recoils while a charge analysis yields an electron rejection factor of 3.3 × 10[superscript −4] for events with [superscript 241]Am-equivalent ionization energy loss between 40 keV and 200 keV. A combined charge and CCD analysis yields a background-limited upper limit of 1.1 × 10[superscript −5] (90% confidence level) for the rejection of γγ and electron events. Backgrounds from alpha decays from the field cage are eliminated by introducing a veto electrode that surrounds the sensitive region in the TPC. CCD-specific backgrounds are reduced more than two orders of magnitude when requiring a coincidence with the charge readout.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Physics
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Laboratory for Nuclear Science
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DOI of Published Version
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2012.08.073
