Sensor Characterization and Fiducial Volume Studies for the NEWS-G Dark Matter Experiment

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Authors

Savvidis, Georgios

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thesis

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eng

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Dark Matter , NEWS-G , Spherical Proportional Counter , SPC , WIMPs , Direct Detection , Achinos , Linearity , LSM , pure methane , fiducial volume , sensor , SNOLAB , Stability , Gain , neon , argon

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The evidence of dark matter from astrophysical and cosmological observations has led to the development of various detectors searching for the elusive matter. The NEWS-G detector, exploiting its low-energy threshold, has been implemented in the search for low-mass dark matter at sub-GeV masses. The development of the multi-anode \emph{achinos} sensor has enabled the detector for the low threshold in large volume SPCs thanks to the high electric field providing efficient charge collection at large distances from the center and high avalanche amplification. Two different achinos models were characterized and compared, selecting the one best suiting the experiment for dark matter search at SNOLAB. Before the SNOLAB installation, the detector was installed at LSM (Laboratoire Souterrain de Modane) where physics data were obtained in 135 mbar pure methane, thus taking advantage of the nuclear recoils on protons. Estimation of the fiducial volume was required to determine the final target mass of the detector and was achieved from \ce{^{37}Ar} calibrations. Currently, the NEWS-G detector is installed and operating at SNOLAB, undergoing background calibrations and noise reduction, and will soon begin its physics runs using neon-methane mixtures.

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