New Micropattern Device Technology with Gas-Based Detectors for Nuclear Assay and Dark Matter Searches

The project concerns development of micropattern charge readout technology for use in gas Time Projection Chambers for the detection of nuclear decay products and hypothetical dark matter particles. Specifically the project will aim to design, build and test a new device based on CERN technology comprising a micromegas readout plane with new micro-mesh gain stage. This will allow detection and tracking of alpha particles and nuclear recoils from dark matter or other decays with energy threshold below 10 keV and position resolution of sub 400 micron. The programme requires construction of a demonstrator detector including gas system and field cage inside a vacuum vessel for eventual deployment in an underground site in Japan. Data from this will allow assessment of the device for both nuclear assay applications and dark matter or other rare event physics applications.