Indirect Dark Matter Search with Solar Neutrinos in the DarkSide-20k Experiment

The nature of dark matter is one of the fundamental questions about the universe today, at the forefront of physics research. Indirect detection experiments seek to observe evidence of interactions of dark matter particles with protons in the sun, leading ultimately to pair annihilation. DarkSide-20k is an international collaboration engaged in a staged program to develop the next generation of liquid argon (LAr) detectors for low-background searches. The 50 tonne DarkSide-20k detector is under construction in the LNGS laboratory, in Gran Sasso, Italy, first operations planned begin in 2023. DarkSide-20k will have unprecedented sensitivity to detect solar neutrinos, including both CNO and Be-7 components of the solar neutrino flux.
This studentship project is to work on development of the first search for evidence of dark matter capture in the sun modifying heat transport within the star, by measuring the relative proportions of the Be-7 and CNO solar neutrino fluxes in the DarkSide-20k experiment. To gain sensitivity to CNO neutrinos, backgrounds need to be understood at levels never before achieved. To do so, world-leading photosensor technology and readout are being developed that will allow the identification of signal and background events whilst also minimising their own radioactive footprint, a key requirement to minimise background events to the dark matter search.
This project will develop direction measurement of solar neutrino-induced electron recoils, in order to reduce backgrounds using directionality for the first time in a dark matter search. This project will contribute to building and commissioning the veto detector and develop analysis tools to analyse data. The goal is to develop an indirect dark matter search analysis with flexibility to search for signals of dark matter capture in the sun, including exotic dark matter candidates beyond the WIMP dark matter hypothesis.