On Dark Matter detector concepts with large-area cryogenic Gaseous Photo Multipliers

Abstract

Large Liquid Xenon Time Projection Chambers already heavily contributed to the search of non-baryonic Dark Matter in the form of WIMPs. However, with a sensitivity goal in the 10−48 cm−2 cross section range even more sensitive detectors are required in the near future with lower radioactive background, lower detection threshold, and a much larger target while keeping the costs within reasonable limits. We propose therefore to develop large area cryogenic Gaseous Photo Multiplier to replace the presently used Photo Multiplier Tubes to detect the VUV scintillation light of xenon. Replacing not only the PMT arrays, but also the PTFE reflectors will favor a single phase detector scheme with proportional scintillation in the liquid. Thus, it is expected that besides many technical advantages the sensitivity can be enhanced without increasing the xenon mass.