Measurement of the Range Component Directional Signature in a DRIFT-II Detector using 252Cf Neutrons

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that the DRIFT-II detector can measure directional recoil signatures induced by 252Cf neutrons along all three axes, supporting its potential for directional dark matter detection.

Contribution

It provides the first measurement of the range component directional signature in a DRIFT detector using a neutron source, validating its directional detection capabilities.

Findings

Directional signatures observed along all three axes.

Optimal detector orientation identified for WIMP searches.

Energy-dependent effects analyzed to improve understanding.

Abstract

The DRIFT collaboration utilizes low pressure gaseous detectors to search for WIMP dark matter with directional signatures. A 252Cf neutron source was placed on each of the principal axes of a DRIFT detector in order to test its ability to measure directional signatures from the three components of very low energy (~keV/amu) recoil ranges. A high trigger threshold and the event selection procedure ensured that only sulfur recoils were analyzed. Sulfur recoils produced in the CS2 target gas by the 252Cf source closely match those expected from massive WIMP induced sulfur recoils. For each orientation of the source a directional signal from the range components was observed, indicating that the detector is directional along all 3 axes. An analysis of these results yields an optimal orientation for DRIFT detectors when searching for a directional signature from WIMPs. Additional energy dependent information is provided to aid in understanding this effect.