Deep Underground Science and Engineering Lab: Dark Matter Working Group 2007 White Paper

TL;DR

This white paper outlines the importance of dark matter detection as a top priority for DUSEL, proposing a phased experimental roadmap at different depths to maintain US leadership in WIMP dark matter searches.

Contribution

It presents a detailed roadmap for dark matter experiments at DUSEL, emphasizing phased approaches and US leadership in the field.

Findings

Dark matter detection is a top priority for DUSEL.

A phased experimental plan is proposed at 4850 and 7400 ft levels.

US currently leads in WIMP dark matter searches.

Abstract

This whitepaper is the result of discussions and presentations initiated at the DUSEL Town Meeting held in Washington in November 2007. The essential elements of this report are: - The quest to detect dark matter is a science goal of the very highest priority, and is flagship science for DUSEL. - The dark matter community presents here a Roadmap for a set of proposals for the Initial Suite of Experiments. The science goals will be reached in two phases of experiments, at the 4850 and 7400 ft levels, respectively. - The US is currently the world leader in the search for WIMP dark matter. Constructing DUSEL will ensure that the US will continue its leading role and attract international collaborators to DUSEL.