Liquid Xenon for a Very Sensitive WIMP Search.pdfVIP

a r X i v : a s t r o - p h / 0 0 1 0 0 7 0 3 O c t 2 0 0 0 1 Presented at the Conference on Cosmology and Particle Physics, CAPP- 2000 (Verbier, Switzerland, July 17-28, 2000) and to be published in the Proceedings by AIP. Liquid Xenon for a Very Sensitive WIMP Search * UCLA-APH-0129-9/00 David B. Cline Department of Physics and Astronomy, Box 951547 University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1547 USA Abstract. We describe the research and development efforts of the UCLA Torino group to develop a large, powerful, discriminating WIMP detector. We also discuss the possible amplifications of the WIMP signal. The first real detector, ZEPLIN II, is being prepared for the UKDMC Boulby Mine Laboratory. 1-3 STATUS OF THE SEARCH FOR WIMPs The current status of the search for WIMPs is confused: 1. The level is at about 1/2 event/kg/d; 2. The DAMA group is making strong claims for a discovery; 3. The CDMS group has shown that their data and those of DAMA are incompatible to 99.5% confidence level against the observation of WIMPs. Theory, which allows WIMP rates from about 10 -1 to 10 -4 events/kg/d, gives poor guidance. 4,5 We believe that it is essential that one method (A) resolve the CDMS/DAMA claims, 6 and (B) cover the entire region of 10 -1 to 10 -4 events/kg/d. The detectors described here (ZEPLIN II and IV) 1-3 can carry out this search. In Fig. 1, we show the different methods of discrimination against background. Properties of Liquid Xenon and Development of a Xenon WIMP Detector The key properties of liquid Xe are given in Table 1, and Fig. 2 shows the key method of discrimination. 1,2 Starting in the early 1990s, the UCLATorino ICARUS group initiated the study of liquid Xe as a WIMP detector with powerful discrimination. Our most recent effort is the development of the two-phase detector. Figure 3 shows our 1-kg, two-phase detector and the principle of its operation. WIMP interactions are clearly discriminated from all important back