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Title: Dark matter sensitivity of multi-ton liquid xenon detectors

Journal Article · · Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
;  [1]; ;  [2];  [3]
  1. Albert Einstein Center for Fundamental Physics, Universität Bern, Sidlerstrasse 5, 3012 Bern (Switzerland)
  2. Physik-Institut, Universität Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zürich (Switzerland)
  3. INFN—Sezione di Bologna, Via Irnerio 46, 40126 Bologna (Italy)

We study the sensitivity of multi ton-scale time projection chambers using a liquid xenon target, e.g., the proposed DARWIN instrument, to spin-independent and spin-dependent WIMP-nucleon scattering interactions. Taking into account realistic backgrounds from the detector itself as well as from neutrinos, we examine the impact of exposure, energy threshold, background rejection efficiency and energy resolution on the dark matter sensitivity. With an exposure of 200 t × y and assuming detector parameters which have been already demonstrated experimentally, spin-independent cross sections as low as 2.5 × 10{sup −49} cm{sup 2} can be probed for WIMP masses around 40 GeV/c{sup 2}. Additional improvements in terms of background rejection and exposure will further increase the sensitivity, while the ultimate WIMP science reach will be limited by neutrinos scattering coherently off the xenon nuclei.

OSTI ID:
22525283
Journal Information:
Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics, Vol. 2015, Issue 10; Other Information: Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1475-7516
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English