CYGNO: Triple-GEM Optical Readout for Directional Dark Matter Search

TL;DR

CYGNO develops a large-scale optical readout TPC using GEMs and high-resolution sensors to enhance directional dark matter detection, offering precise track reconstruction and particle identification.

Contribution

It introduces a scalable optical readout method for large-volume GEM-TPCs, demonstrating improved directional detection and particle discrimination capabilities.

Findings

Successful 3D track reconstruction using optical readout

High particle identification efficiency

Feasibility of scaling to 30-100 m³ detectors

Abstract

CYGNO is a project realising a cubic meter demonstrator to study the scalability of the performance of the optical approach for the readout of large-volume, GEM-equipped TPC. This is part of the CYGNUS proto-collaboration which aims at constructing a network of underground observatories for directional Dark Matter search. The combined use of high-granularity sCMOS and fast sensors for reading out the light produced in GEM channels during the multiplication processes was shown to allow on one hand to reconstruct 3D direction of the tracks, offering accurate energy measurements and sensitivity to the source directionality and, on the other hand, a high particle identification capability very useful to distinguish nuclear recoils. Results of the performed R&D and future steps toward a 30-100 cubic meter experiment will be presented.