Carbon nanotubes as anisotropic target for dark matter

TL;DR

This paper explores using aligned carbon nanotubes as an anisotropic target for directional dark matter detection, employing Monte Carlo simulations and prototype development to assess feasibility for detecting light and heavy dark matter particles.

Contribution

It introduces a novel detection scheme using carbon nanotubes for directional dark matter detection, supported by simulations and R&D efforts for prototype development.

Findings

Simulation results support the feasibility of the detection scheme.

Potential to detect light and GeV-scale dark matter particles.

Prototype development is underway to validate the concept.

Abstract

Directional detection of Dark Matter (DM) particles could be accomplished by studying either ion or electron recoils in large arrays of parallel carbon nanotubes. For instance, a MeV mass DM particle could scatter off a lattice electron, resulting in the transfer of sufficient energy to eject the electron from the nanotube surface. The electron can eventually be detected whenever an external electric field is added to drive it from the open ends of the array. This detection scheme would offer an anisotropic response and could be used to select an orientation of the target with respect to the DM wind. A compact sensor, in which the cathode element is substituted with a dense array of parallel carbon nanotubes, could serve as the basic detection unit which - if adequately replicated - would allow to explore a significant region of light DM mass and cross-section. A similar detection scheme could be used to detect DM particles with mass in the GeV range scattering off the surface of a CNT and ejecting a carbon ion. We report about the Monte Carlo simulations of such a system and the R&D towards a detector prototype.