Thesis

Dark Matter direct detection with XENON1T and R&D for XENONnT

• Call:

  IDPASC Portugal - PHD Programme 2014

• Academic Year:

  2014 /2015

• Domains:

  Experimental Particle Physics | Astroparticle Physics

• Supervisor:

  José Matias

• Co-Supervisor:

  Joaquim Santos

• Institution:

  Universidade de Coimbra

• Host Institution:

  LIBPhys

• Abstract:

  Motivated by the striking fact that 83% of the mass in the Universe remains a mystery, the so-called Dark Matter, our team joined the XENON collaboration for Dark Matter direct detection in 2004. XENON (xenon.astro.columbia.edu) has consistently led the way for the discovery of Dark Matter, since the publication of its first results in 2007. The phased program started with XENON10 (2005-2007) followed by the XENON100 detector that keeps on taking data since 2008, allowing as well to thoroughly study and understand the detailed physics of its operation. Besides the outstanding record of 6 years non-stop operation of a liquid xenon time projection chamber, XENON100 has also served as a test-bench for the next step in the program, XENON1T. Being the only ton-scale detector financed and being built in the world, XENON1T is paving the way for the future of Dark Matter direct detection. It is due to start taking data in 2015 and will reach the ultimate dark matter sensitivity after 2 years of operation. The candidate work will contribute to the operation of XENON1T at the Gran Sasso Underground Laboratory in Italy, including short stays of a few weeks at a time. The work plan will include participation in other remote tasks as well as in the R&D on advanced photo sensors taking place in Coimbra, towards the next phase starting in 2018, with the upgrade of XENON1T to an even larger detector, XENONnT. Our group in Coimbra (Atomic and Nuclear Instrumentation Group) has a more than 4 decades long experience in the development of noble gas filled detectors, including photo sensing innovative solutions, being widely recognized as a world leader in the field. The successful candidate will also have an excellent opportunity of integrating the highly stimulating environment of a world class experiment.