Simulation of the Directional Dark Matter Detector (D3) and Directional Neutron Observer (DiNO)

TL;DR

This paper presents simulation and optimization studies of the D3 and DiNO detectors, demonstrating correct neutron interaction modeling and potential sensitivity improvements for low-mass WIMPs through pressure adjustments and negative ion drift techniques.

Contribution

It introduces simulation validation and optimization strategies for directional dark matter and neutron detectors, highlighting potential enhancements in WIMP detection sensitivity.

Findings

GEANT4 accurately models neutron interactions in these detectors

Lowering gas pressure increases sensitivity to low-mass WIMPs

Negative ion drift could enable exploration of specific WIMP mass regions

Abstract

Preliminary simulation and optimization studies of the Directional Dark Matter Detector and the Directional Neutron Observer are presented. These studies show that the neutron interaction with the gas-target in these detectors is treated correctly by GEANT4 and that by lowering the pressure, the sensitivity to low-mass WIMP candidates is increased. The use of negative ion drift might allow us to search the WIMP mass region suggested by the results of the non-directional experiments DAMA/LIBRA, CoGeNT and CRESST-II.