GPU-based optical simulation of the DARWIN detector

TL;DR

This paper presents a GPU-accelerated optical simulation framework for the DARWIN liquid xenon detector, enabling faster and more detailed exploration of detector designs to optimize scintillation light collection.

Contribution

It introduces a GPU-based photon tracking simulation using Chroma, improving efficiency over traditional methods for designing next-generation liquid xenon detectors.

Findings

GPU-based simulation is faster than Geant4

Design variations can be evaluated efficiently

Framework aids in optimizing detector performance

Abstract

Understanding propagation of scintillation light is critical for maximizing the discovery potential of next-generation liquid xenon detectors that use dual-phase time projection chamber technology. This work describes a detailed optical simulation of the DARWIN detector implemented using Chroma, a GPU-based photon tracking framework. To evaluate the framework and to explore ways of maximizing efficiency and minimizing the time of light collection, we simulate several variations of the conventional detector design. Results of these selected studies are presented. More generally, we conclude that the approach used in this work allows one to investigate alternative designs faster and in more detail than using conventional Geant4 optical simulations, making it an attractive tool to guide the development of the ultimate liquid xenon observatory.