Engineering topics

Monte, Alissa

Publications and source records attributed to Monte, Alissa.

4 records

DOE OSTI2021

Mechanical quantum sensing in the search for dark matter

Numerous astrophysical and cosmological observations are best explained by the existence of dark matter, a mass density which interacts only very weakly with visible, baryonic matter. Here, searching for the extremely weak signals produced by this dark matter strongly motivate the development of new, ultra-sensitive detector technologies. Paradigmatic advances in the control and readout of massive mechanical systems, in both the classical and quantum regimes, have enabled unprecedented levels of sensitivity. In this white paper, we outline recent ideas in the potential use of a range of solid-state mechanical sensing technologies to aid in the search for dark matter in a number of energy scales and with a variety of coupling mechanisms.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2020

Effective field theory interactions for liquid argon target in DarkSide-50 experiment

We reanalize data collected with the DarkSide-50 experiment and recently used to set limits on the spin-independent interaction rate of weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) on argon nuclei with an effective field theory framework. The dataset corresponds to a total (16660 ± 270) kg d exposure using a target of low-radioactivity argon extracted from underground sources. We obtain upper limits on the effective couplings of the 12 leading operators in the nonrelativistic systematic expansion. For each effective coupling we set constraints on WIMP-nucleon cross sections, setting upper limits between 2.4×10-45 cm2 and 2.3×10-42 cm2 (8.9 ×10-45 cm2 and 6.0 ×10-42 cm2) for WIMPs of mass of 100 GeV/c2 (1000 GeV/c2) at 90% confidence level.

Agnes, P↗

DOE OSTI2019

Measurement of the ion fraction and mobility of 218Po produced in 222Rn decays in liquid argon

We report measurements of the charged daughter fraction of 218Po as a result of the 222Rn alpha decay, and the mobility of 218Po+ ions, using radon-polonium coincidences from the 238U chain identified in 532 live-days of DarkSide-50 WIMP-search data. The fraction of 218Po that is charged is found to be 0.37 ± 0.03 and the mobility of 218Po+ is (8.6 ± 0.1) × 10-4 cm2/Vs.

Agnes, P↗

DOE OSTI2016

The DarkSide project

DarkSide is a graded experimental project based on radiopure argon, and is now, and will be, used in direct dark matter searches. The present DarkSide-50 detector, operating at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory, is a dual-phase, 50 kg, liquid argon time-projection-chamber surrounded by an active liquid scintillator veto. It is designed to be background free in 3 years of operation. DS-50 performances, when filled with atmospheric argon, are reported. However DS-50 filled with underground argon, shows impressive reduction of the 39Ar isotope. The application of this powerful technology in a future generation of the DarkSide program is discussed.

Agnes, P.↗