Proto-0: a prototype for validating key technologies of the DarkSide-20k experiment and beyond

TL;DR

Proto-0 is a small-scale prototype designed to validate key technologies for the DarkSide-20k experiment, focusing on charge extraction, electroluminescence, and scintillation light yield in a realistic detector environment.

Contribution

It demonstrates the integration and early operation of critical technologies for the DarkSide-20k dark matter detection project.

Findings

Successful early operation of Proto-0 prototype

Measurement of scintillation light yield with calibration sources

Validation of detector technology integration

Abstract

The DarkSide-20k experiment, currently under construction at LNGS, will employ a next-generation dual-phase liquid-argon Time Projection Chamber (TPC) with SiPM-based Photon Detector Units and low-background materials to achieve the ambitious goal of operating with an instrumental background close to zero. Proto-0 is a small-scale dual-phase argon TPC operated at INFN Naples, designed to validate the integration of DarkSide-20k key technologies in a realistic detector environment and to study charge extraction and electroluminescence signal formation. In this short paper we report on the early operation of Proto-0 and its single-phase commissioning. We focus on the measurement of the scintillation light yield using external and internal calibration sources.