The search for Light Dark Matter with NEWS-G

TL;DR

The NEWS-G experiment employs spherical proportional counters with light noble gases to search for low-mass WIMPs, achieving competitive results and planning an upgraded detector at SNOLAB for enhanced dark matter detection.

Contribution

This paper reports on the development and initial results of the NEWS-G detector, including improvements and calibration data, advancing low-mass WIMP search capabilities.

Findings

Preliminary results with Ne gas set competitive limits.

Detector improvements include new sensor design and calibration methods.

Upcoming large-scale detector at SNOLAB aims to enhance sensitivity.

Abstract

The NEWS-G direct dark matter search experiment uses spherical proportional counters (SPC) with light noble gases to explore low WIMP masses. The first results obtained with an SPC prototype operated with Ne gas at the Laboratoire Souterrain de Modane (LSM) have already set competitive results for low-mass WIMPs. The forthcoming next phase of the experiment consists of a large 140 cm diameter SPC installed at SNOLAB with a new sensor design, with improved detector performance and data quality. Before its installation at SNOLAB, the detector was commissioned with pure methane gas at the LSM, with a temporary water shield, offering a hydrogen-rich target and reduced backgrounds. After giving an overview of the improvements of the detector, preliminary results of this campaign will be discussed, including UV laser and Ar-37 calibration data.