R2D2 spherical TPC: first energy resolution results

TL;DR

This paper reports the first energy resolution results of a spherical TPC detector, demonstrating its potential for rare event searches like neutrinoless double beta decay with promising resolution performance.

Contribution

It presents the initial energy resolution measurements of an argon-filled spherical TPC, advancing the development of this technology for neutrino and dark matter research.

Findings

Achieved 1.1% FWHM energy resolution at 5.3 MeV in argon gas

Demonstrated detector performance across 0.2 to 1.1 bar pressure range

Paves the way for future xenon-based TPC studies for $etaeta0 u$ searches

Abstract

Spherical time projection chambers (TPC), also known as spherical proportional counters, are employed in the search for rare phenomena, such as light Dark Matter candidates. The spherical TPC exhibits a number of essential features, making it a promising candidate for the search of neutrinoless double beta decay ($\beta\beta0\nu$). A tonne-scale spherical TPC experiment could cover a region of parameter space relevant for the inverted mass hierarchy with a few years of data taking. In this direction, the major R\&D goal of the R2D2 effort is the demonstration of the required energy resolution. First results from an argon-filled prototype detector are reported, demonstrating an energy resolution of 1.1\% FWHM for 5.3~MeV $\alpha$ tracks in the 0.2 to 1.1~bar pressure range. This is a major milestone in terms of energy resolution, paving the way for further studies with xenon gas, and the possible use of this technology for $\beta\beta0\nu$ searches.