CAREER: New Detectors and Techniques for Astroparticle and Neutrino Physics

University Of Chicago, Chicago IL

Investigators

Abstract

This CAREER proposal seeks funding for a new line of Astroparticle Physics activities at the Enrico Fermi Institute at the University of Chicago. The emphasis is on developing detectors to search for dark matter candidates, such as Weakly Interacting Massive Particles. The proposed R&D studies will include detectors based on superheated liquids, adaptations of new gas detector technologies to non-accelerator experiments and a geochemical search for heavily ionizing particles. The common theme is high background-rejection ability, low-threshold, versatility and simplicity. The detector technologies that will result from the work described here have many applications closer to Earth than the hypothetical particles for which they are designed: national security, environmental science, radioprotection and medical imaging, to mention a few.