Directional detection of Dark Matter with the MIcro-tpc MAtrix of Chambers

Understand

Particles weakly interacting with ordinary matter, with an associated mass of the order of an atomic nucleus (WIMPs), are plausible candidates for Dark Matter.

• The direct detection of an elastic collision of a target nuclei induced by one of these WIMPs has to be discriminated from the signal produced by the neutrons, which leaves the same signal in a detector.
• The MIMAC (MIcro-tpc MAtrix of Chambers) collaboration has developed an original prototype detector which combines a large pixelated Micromegas coupled with a fast, self-triggering, electronics.
• Aspects of the two-chamber module in operation in the Modane Underground Laboratory are presented: calibration, characterization of the $^{222}$Rn progeny.