Status and Prospects of the DMTPC Directional Dark Matter Experiment

Abstract

The DMTPC directional dark matter detection experiment is a low-pressure CF4 gas time projection chamber, instrumented with charge and scintillation photon readout. This detector design strategy emphasizes reconstruction of WIMPinduced nuclear recoil tracks, in order to determine the direction of incident dark matter particles. Directional detection has the potential to make the definitive observation of dark matter using the unique angular signature of the dark matter wind, which is distinct from all known backgrounds. This talk will review the experimental technique and current status of DMTPC.