Position-sensitive muon detector: dark matter search in the COSINE-200 experiment and application to muon tomography

• Grant number: 21/06743-1
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: February 01, 2022
• End date: July 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Elementary Particle Physics and Fields
• Agreement: National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF)
• Principal Investigator: Nelson Carlin Filho
• Grantee: Nelson Carlin Filho
• Principal researcher abroad: Chang Hyon Ha
• Institution abroad: Chung-Ang University (CAU), South Korea
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física (IF). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The observations that established the existence of dark matter were based on gravitational interactions. This aspect is not enough to determine its nature, therefore, it is important to consider the possibility of other types of interaction besides the gravitational one. In this context, weak interactions are generally the most considered, resulting in the search for WIMPs. There is a global effort to detect these particles and the DAMA/LIBRA experiment, which uses NaI(Tl) crystals, has for many years observed signals attributed to the annual modulation of the rate of dark matter events. However, no experiment observed the same type of signal. The COSINE-100 experiment, in operation since 2016, was conceived with the initial objective of confirming or refuting the observations of the DAMA/LIBRA experiment, using 106 kg of the same NaI(Tl) material. In the context of data analysis, muons are an important source of background, as they induce events in the crystals in the region of interest for the search of dark matter. Furthermore, during the year the muon flow presents an annual modulation. These factors can significantly influence the study of annual modulation. Considering the ongoing upgrade of the COSINE-100 experiment to the COSINE-200 version, with 200 kg of crystals, a position-sensitive muon detector is important for trajectory determination in order to refine the understanding and elimination of background events related to muons. In addition, position-sensitive muon detectors have enormous potential for application in muon tomography, expanding horizons in the context of research, development and training of human resources. This interest is shared with Dr. Chang Hyon Ha from Chung-Ang University, South Korea. Therefore, in this bilateral cooperation project, it is intended to develop position-sensitive muon detectors using scintillating plastics and optical fibers with SiPMT readout aiming for the use in the future COSINE-200 experiment, as well as in non-destructive muon tomography that can be approached in various contexts, such as analysis of hidden spaces in large structures and potentially in medical applications. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

ADHIKARI, G.; CARLIN, N.; CHOI, J. J.; CHOI, S.; EZERIBE, A. C.; FRANCA, L. E.; HA, C.; HAHN, I. S.; HOLLICK, S. J.; JEON, E. J.; et al. Search for solar bosonic dark matter annual modulation with COSINE-100. PHYSICAL REVIEW D, v. 107, n. 12, p. 14-pg., 2023-06-26. (22/13293-5, 21/06743-1, 22/12002-7)

ADHIKARI, GOVINDA; CARLIN, NELSON; CHOI, JAEJIN; CHOI, SEONHO; EZERIBE, ANTHONY; FRANCA, LUIS EDUARDO; HA, CHANG HYON; HAHN, IN SIK; HOLLICK, SOPHIA J.; JEON, EUNJU; et al. An induced annual modulation signature in COSINE-100 data by DAMA/LIBRA's analysis method. SCIENTIFIC REPORTS, v. 13, n. 1, p. 12-pg., 2023-03-22. (21/06743-1)