Speaker
Description
Directional Dark Matter (DM) detection using low pressure gaseous Time Projection Chambers (TPCs) is regarded as a promising approach for confidently probing parameter space below the neutrino fog. The use of Negative Ion Drift (NID) gases in these detectors, such as SF₆, substantially suppress charge diffusion during the drift phase to aid particle track reconstruction. However, achieving sufficiently high gas gain in NID mixtures remains a long standing challenge due to the difficulty of initiating charge avalanches. Recent results from a novel two-stage Multi-Mesh Thick Gaseous Electron Multiplier (MMThGEM) have demonstrated that, through careful design and optimisation, gas gains approaching 10⁵ are achievable in NID gases; representing an order of magnitude improvement over previous expectations. These advances motivate renewed investigation into micromesh MicroPattern Gaseous Detector (MPGD) structures for charge amplification. Conventional fabrication techniques for MPGDs, such as ThGEMs and Micromegas, are often costly and require specialised expertise. In contrast, additive manufacturing techniques, like 3D printing, offer a cheap and rapid alternative for detector prototyping. In this talk, we present a new MPGD platform for rapid research and development, the Low-cost Amplification and Readout Device (LARD). First light measurements in low pressure CF₄ are discussed, and the future potential of this modular and scalable technology is outlined.
| Main Contribution topic | Instrumentation for Dark Matter searches |
|---|---|
| Secondary contribution topic | Direct detection |