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arXiv · 1304.2255

MIMAC: A micro-tpc matrix for dark matter directional detection

Abstract

The dark matter directional detection opens a new field in cosmology bringing the possibility to build a map of nuclear recoils that would be able to explore the galactic dark matter halo giving access to a particle characterization of such matter and the shape of the halo. The MIMAC (MIcro-tpc MAtrix of Chambers) collaboration has developed in the last years an original prototype detector based on the direct coupling of large pixelized micromegas with a devoted fast self-triggered electronics showing the feasibility of a new generation of directional detectors. The discovery potential of this search strategy is discussed and illustrated. In June 2012, the first bi-chamber prototype has been installed at Modane Underground Laboratory (LSM) and the first underground background events, the gain stability and calibration are shown.

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D. Santos, J. Billard, G. Bosson, J. L. Bouly, O. Bourrion, C. Fourel, O. Guillaudin, J. Lamblin, J. F. Muraz, F. Mayet, J. P. Richer, Q. Riffard, E. Ferrer, I. Giomataris, F. J. Iguaz, L. Lebreton, D. Maire. 2013-04-08. MIMAC: A micro-tpc matrix for dark matter directional detection. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/460/1/012007

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