Measurement of the Range Component Directional Signature in a DRIFT-II Detector using 252Cf Neutrons

Understand

The DRIFT collaboration utilizes low pressure gaseous detectors to search for WIMP dark matter with directional signatures.

• A 252Cf neutron source was placed on each of the principal axes of a DRIFT detector in order to test its ability to measure directional signatures from the three components of very low energy (~keV/amu) recoil ranges.
• A high trigger threshold and the event selection procedure ensured that only sulfur recoils were analyzed.
• Sulfur recoils produced in the CS2 target gas by the 252Cf source closely match those expected from massive WIMP induced sulfur recoils.