Toward directional detection of Dark Matter with the DM-TPC detector

Understand

Directional detection can provide unambiguous observation of Dark Matter interactions even in presence of insidious backgrounds.

• The DM-TPC collaboration is developing a detector with the goal of measuring the direction and sense of nuclear recoils produced in Dark Matter interactions.
• The detector consists of a Time Projection Chamber with optical readout filled with CF$_4$ gas at low pressure.
• A collision between a WIMP and a gas molecule results in a nuclear recoil of 1-2 mm.