Search for WIMPs in liquid argon

TL;DR

This paper discusses the development of a large liquid argon detector aimed at detecting WIMPs, focusing on R&D for VUV light detection from recoiling argon nuclei, with results from a one-ton prototype and neutron source prospects.

Contribution

It presents new R&D efforts and experimental results for a large liquid argon detector to improve WIMP detection capabilities.

Findings

Successful detection of VUV light from recoiling argon nuclei

Results from the 1-ton ArDM prototype demonstrate feasibility

Prospects for using monoenergetic neutron sources are promising

Abstract

Our group from the University of Zurich is performing R&D work towards the design of a large liquid argon detector to detect Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs). This project is developed within the DARWIN Collaboration funded by ASPERA to prepare a proposal for the next generation of WIMP searches using noble liquids. We are performing R&D to detect the VUV light from recoiling argon nuclei. Results obtained with one ton of liquid argon (ArDM prototype) and prospects using a monoenergetic neutron source are discussed.