SABRE and the Stawell Underground Physics Laboratory Dark Matter Research at the Australian National University
Abstract
The direct detection of dark matter is a key problem in astroparticle physics that generally requires the use of deep-underground laboratories for a low-background environment where the rare signals from dark matter interactions can be observed. This work reports on the Stawell Underground Physics Laboratory - currently under construction and the first such laboratory in the Southern Hemisphere - and the associated research program. A particular focus will be given to ANU's contribution to SABRE, a NaI:Tl dark matter, direct detection experiment that aims to confirm or refute the long-standing DAMA result. Preliminary measurements of the NaI:Tl quenching factor and characterisation of the SABRE liquid scintillator veto are reported.
- Publication:
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European Physical Journal Web of Conferences
- Pub Date:
- September 2020
- DOI:
- 10.1051/epjconf/202023201002
- arXiv:
- arXiv:2008.01373
- Bibcode:
- 2020EPJWC.23201002B
- Keywords:
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- Physics - Instrumentation and Detectors
- E-Print:
- Presented at the 2019 Heavy Ion Accelerator Symposium