A versatile cryogenic system for liquid argon detectors

TL;DR

This paper presents a versatile cryogenic system designed for liquid argon detectors in dark matter research, highlighting its design, performance, and stability for efficient argon liquefaction and purification.

Contribution

The paper introduces a novel cryogenic system tailored for liquid argon detectors, demonstrating its effective operation and stability in long-term dark matter experiments.

Findings

Achieved impurity levels below one part per billion

Demonstrated stable long-term cryogenic operation

Effective argon liquefaction and purification performance

Abstract

Detectors for direct dark matter search using noble gases in liquid phase as detection medium need to be coupled to liquefaction, purification and recirculation systems. A dedicated cryogenic system has been assembled and operated at the INFN-Naples cryogenic laboratory with the aim to liquefy and purify the argon used as active target in liquid argon detectors to study the scintillation and ionization signals detected by large SiPMs arrays. The cryogenic system is mainly composed of a double wall cryostat hosting the detector, a purification stage to reduce the impurities below one part per billion level, a condenser to liquefy the argon, a recirculation gas panel connected to the cryostat equipped with a custom gas pump. The main features of the cryogenic system are reported as well as the performances, long term operations and stability in terms of the most relevant thermodynamic parameters.