Background reduction and spin-dependent limits using DRIFT - a directionally sensitive dark matter detector

Abstract

The DRIFT (Directional Recoil Identification From Tracks) collaboration operates a 1m3 low pressure gaseous negative ion time projection chamber (NI-TPC) WIMP dark matter search experiment in the Boulby Underground Laboratory. Recent progress from the DRIFT collaboration is presented that includes a series of background reduction work and the addition of CF4 to the target volume. A preliminary limit on the spin-dependent WIMP-proton interaction cross-section is presented from a non-blind analysis of 47.2 days live time with a 0.8 m3 30 Torr CS2 - 10Torr CF4 target. The preliminary limit has a minimum of 1.1 pb for a 100 GeV WIMP.