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

¹ LPSC, Université Joseph Fourier Grenoble 1, CNRS/IN2P3, Institut Polytechnique de Grenoble, France
² IRFU, CEA Saclay, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France
³ LMDN, IRSN Cadarache, 13115 Saint-Paul-Lez-Durance, France

Abstract

Directional detection of non-baryonic Dark Matter is a promising search strategy for discriminating WIMP events from background ones. This strategy requires both a measurement of the recoil energy down to a few keV and 3D reconstruction of tracks down to a few mm. The MIMAC project, based on a micro-TPC matrix, filled with CF₄ and CHF₃ is being developed. The first results of a chamber prototype of this matrix, on low energy nuclear recoils (¹H and ¹⁹F) obtained with mono-energetic neutron fields are presented. The discovery potential of this search strategy is illustrated by a realistic case accessible to MIMAC.