Possible low-background applications of MICROMEGAS detector technology

Abstract

The MICROMEGAS detector concept, generally optimized for use in accelerator experiments, displays a peculiar combination of features that can be advantageous in several astroparticle and neutrino physics applications. Their subkeV ionization energy threshold, excellent energy and space resolution, and a simplicity of design that allows the use of radioclean materials in their construction are some of these characteristics. We envision tackling experimental challenges such as the measurement of neutral-current neutrino-nucleus coherent scattering or Weakly Interacting Massive Particle (WIMP) detectors with directional sensitivity. The large physics potential of a compact (total volume O(1)m 3 ), multi-purpose array of low-background MICROMEGAS is made evident. r

Ultra Low Energy Results and Their Impact to Dark Matter and Low Energy Neutrino Physics

“…The development of a new spherical prototype 70 cm in diameter made of low radioactivity materials is in progress and will be installed in the LSM laboratory. By using a mixture of gas containing 3 He, it will be possible to measure not only the thermal neutron component [26] but also the fast neutron energy spectrum by taking profit of the 1 to few barn cross section of capture above 100 keV neutron energy. By adding a lead and Polyethylene shields, it will also be possible to measure the residual background at low energy and assess potential sensitivity to dark matter particle search and coherent neutrino-nucleus scattering.…”

“…The search of dark matter in the form of hypothetical Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMP's) is under intense development and relies on the detection of low energy (keV scale) recoils produced by the elastic interaction of WIMP's with the nuclei of the detector [1][2][3][4]. The need to go to very low energies may become even more crucial, if the WIMP's turn out to be very light [5], since then, the energy transfer to the nucleus is expected to be smaller.…”

Design and characterization of a neutron calibration facility for the study of sub-keV nuclear recoils

“…An aggravating factor is that not all decays produce predictable energy depositions, due to prompt secondary gamma emission while the recoil is still slowing down [6]. A better approach [3] is to rely instead on the existence of narrow deep interference ''dips'' in the neutron cross-sections in a handful of isotopes ( Fig. 1).…”

Detection of Alpha Particles and Low Energy Gamma Rays by Thermo-Bonded Micromegas in Xenon Gas

“…Thus the cost compared to a PMT-like system can be greatly reduced. In particular, Micromegas attracts a lot of interests due to its additional features, such as the potential to reach a very low energy threshold and an excellent energy resolution [7]. Micromegas with a minimum gain of 100 will be able to detect the few tens of electrons produced from a 10 keV nuclear recoil event from the interaction of a dark matter particle in liquid xenon.…”