The LUX Dark Matter Search – Status Update

S Fiorucci,The Lux Collaboration

doi:10.1088/1742-6596/460/1/012005

S Fiorucci, The Lux Collaboration

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/460/1/012005

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Abstract

We report on the design, construction and commissioning of the Large Underground Xenon (LUX) dark matter detector at the Sanford Laboratory in Lead, SD, USA. From its inception in 2007, to its construction at a surface laboratory in lead in 2009–2010, its operation in 2011, and its re-installation 1 mile underground in 2012, we review the relevant achievements already obtained and give an outlook on how LUX will become the most sensitive detector in the field in 2013.

Highlights

122 Photo-Multiplier Tubes (PMT) with a 2-inch circular window are used in two arrays on top and bottom of the active xenon volume, in order to collect light signals
A cryogenic system based on the liquid nitrogen thermosyphon technology, provides several hundred watt of cooling power at liquid xenon temperatures [4]
The Large Underground Xenon (LUX) detector was assembled from the inside out between 2010 and 2011 within the clean room, while external systems, such as the xenon circulation loop, data acquisition electronics, xenon storage system, and nitrogen distribution, were built and tested just outside

Summary

Introduction

A double-walled cryostat made of very-low radioactivity titanium, the product of a LUX research effort [2], contains the xenon and internals. 122 Photo-Multiplier Tubes (PMT) with a 2-inch circular window are used in two arrays on top and bottom of the active xenon volume, in order to collect light signals. Their low radioactivity content [3] and excellent quantum efficiency allow LUX to control backgrounds and obtain outstanding light collection efficiency, measured at > 2× better than the nearest competitor –see section 3 below for details on results. It provides a controlled source of low-energy interactions distributed throughout the entire xenon volume, and is a very effective tool to calibrate the detector.

Results

Conclusion