Developing Algorithms for Bubble Identification and Tracking for the PICO-40L Dark Matter Experiment
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Authors
Bai, Minya
Date
2025-05-02
Type
thesis
Language
eng
Keyword
WIMPs , Dark matter , Bubble chamber , Particle physics , Optics analysis , Bubble motion
Alternative Title
Abstract
The understanding of cosmological dark matter is one of the major challenges in modern physics. Weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) are a popular candidate for dark matter that have been probed by detectors attempting to measure nuclear recoils from WIMP interactions.
The PICO experiment aims to use bubble chambers to search for spin-dependent WIMP-proton dark matter. Acoustic data and optical images of the bubbles are used to identify the particle interacting with the fluid in the detector. WIMP interactions with the active fluid will result in a single bubble event that is acoustically similar to a neutron. Higher resolution between single and multi-bubble events can provide a secondary method to confirm the multiplicity of neutron events. The Watershed algorithm was developed as a viable option to better resolve bubbles that formed closed together.
PICO-40L is a prototype detector that is being used to test the engineering design that will be used in the next generation PICO-500 detector. The motion of the bubbles was studied to determine the effects of convection within the active fluid. The position reconstruction agreed well with to the calculated terminal velocity of the bubbles. An asymmetry in the vertical velocity was observed within the bulk of the detector indicating the presence of convection within the active volume, which might be related to spurious background events that have been observed in PICO-40L.
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Intellectual Property Guidelines at Queen's University
Copying and Preserving Your Thesis
This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.
Attribution 4.0 International