Liquid Argon Detector Calibration R&D for Dark Matter and Neutrino Physics

Lead Research Organisation: University of Sussex
Department Name: Sch of Mathematical & Physical Sciences

Abstract

Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.

Planned Impact

Refer to lead proposal by Royal Holloway
 
Description The absolute light production and exact angular distributionn of TPB wavelength shifter. This is used in single phase, liquid noble gas direct dark matter detectors, such as DEAP-3600 and CLEAN.
Exploitation Route These findings will be used in the calibration of the DEAP-3600 (and subsequent) direct dark matter dectector using liquid argon and TPB wavelength shifters (currently the default technology).
Sectors Aerospace, Defence and Marine
 
Description Junior Research Associateship (HW)
Amount £2,400 (GBP)
Organisation University of Sussex 
Sector Academic/University
Country United Kingdom
Start 06/2011 
End 08/2011
 
Description Junior Research Associateship (TB)
Amount £2,400 (GBP)
Funding ID Talitha Bromwich 
Organisation University of Sussex 
Sector Academic/University
Country United Kingdom
Start 06/2013 
End 08/2013
 
Description RSE/STFC Enterprise Fellowship 2017
Amount £44,303 (GBP)
Organisation Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country United Kingdom
Start 07/2017 
End 06/2018
 
Title Light Pulse Generating Circuits and Systems 
Description In this patent, we protect the novel technology developed for the SNO+ experiment and successfully used in the DEAP0-3600 experiment. 
IP Reference GB1707768.6 
Protection Patent granted
Year Protection Granted 2017
Licensed No
Impact We are in the process of spinning out a company, PulserOptics.com
 
Description DEAP, The future of Dark Matter in the UK, 2012 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? Yes
Type Of Presentation Keynote/Invited Speaker
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.)
Results and Impact 30 peers attended the workshop

Led to the foundation of the DMUK institute, which is a peer organisation determining the focus of the Dark Matter programme in the UK
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2012
URL http://snoplus.phys.sussex.ac.uk/DM/IoP%20APP_RAS_IPPP%20DM%20workshop.html
 
Description DEAP-3600, Dark Attack 2012 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Type Of Presentation Keynote/Invited Speaker
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.)
Results and Impact DEAP-3600 presented to an international audience of 60 experts in the fieds

Increased awareness of the single phase liquid scintillator approach to direct dark matter searches
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2012
URL http://itp.uzh.ch/darkattack
 
Description Research-based Outreach 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Type Of Presentation Keynote/Invited Speaker
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact At the University of Sussex, we run a major outreach programme within the department of physics and astronomy, originally set up as part of the SEPnet initiative. The program involves members of the department at all levels, from taught undergraduate and postgraduate students, research students, post doctorial researchers and faculty. We have a wide range of practical activities available to take out to local schools, which are boxed up with a detailed lesson plan for department members to take to take out or use on site. The majority of our outreach activities are linked to our research.
Our annual reach is to 5,000 students per year, working with approximately 800 primary school students, 3500 secondary student, and 700 A-level students, in addition to the 2,000 members of the general public that experience our events. We currently run 130 events per year, reaching school and college students at 60 different schools. We have both schools visiting the University of Sussex campus in Brighton, and we also go out to schools.
Around half of our events involve communicating the research carried out at the University direct to schools, colleges and the public.

25% of our events involve describing our particle physics research, usually consisting of a research talk (about the Large Hadron Collider, SNO+, etc) which is reinforced by practical activities (such as building cloud chambers, or visiting our research labs).

Every week during the school terms, we run a School's Lab day, where a group of students visit the University for as full day of experiments specifically designed for the GCSE, AS and A2 level syllabus. During those days, the students visit a research lab, and get the opportunity to talk with our research students about their work. In addition, visiting A-level students also have a research lecture, and get to here the latest research being done here at Sussex.

Every year, we offer masterclasses in particle physics, with one day aimed at GCSE students, and another at A-level. These days involve research-level talks, visits to labs, as well as hands on experimental experience.

We have developed links with local schools and colleges. Teachers frequently approach us to request research related outreach activities (talks, lab tours, practical activities), ask for advice or to borrow equipment for teaching. In 2013, we ran the Institute of Physics sponsored Physic Update weekend conference for teachers.

Since we began our outreach program, undergraduate numbers has risen significantly within the department, from an intake of 40 students in 2009, up to the current (and sustained) 140 students per year.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2009,2010,2011,2012,2013,2014
URL http://www.sussex.ac.uk/physics/outreach