ArDM: a ton-scale LAr detector for direct Dark Matter searches

TL;DR

The ArDM-1t experiment is a large-scale liquid argon detector designed for direct Dark Matter detection, utilizing charge imaging and scintillation light to identify WIMP interactions and inform future neutrino and proton decay experiments.

Contribution

This paper presents the design, implementation, and lessons learned from a ton-scale liquid argon detector for dark matter searches, advancing detection techniques and detector scalability.

Findings

Successful operation of a 1-ton LAr detector at CERN

Effective charge amplification using Large Electron Multiplier

Insights into detector design for future neutrino and proton decay experiments

Abstract

The Argon Dark Matter (ArDM-1t) experiment is a ton-scale liquid argon (LAr) double-phase time projection chamber designed for direct Dark Matter searches. Such a device allows to explore the low energy frontier in LAr with a charge imaging detector. The ionization charge is extracted from the liquid into the gas phase and there amplified by the use of a Large Electron Multiplier in order to reduce the detection threshold. Direct detection of the ionization charge with fine spatial granularity, combined with a measurement of the amplitude and time evolution of the associated primary scintillation light, provide powerful tools for the identification of WIMP interactions against the background due to electrons, photons and possibly neutrons if scattering more than once. A one ton LAr detector is presently installed on surface at CERN to fully test all functionalities and it will be soon moved to an underground location. We will emphasize here the lessons learned from such a device for the design of a large LAr TPC for neutrino oscillation, proton decay and astrophysical neutrinos searches.