THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK INC
Grant: $2,423,847 - National Science Foundation - Aug. 24, 2009
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Award Description: This project addresses the question of the nature of dark matter in the Universe with an experimental search for Weakly Interactive Massive Particles (WIMPs) using two-phase xenon detectors. This group is currently operating at the 100 kg mass scale with the XENON100 experiment which has replaced the XENON10 prototype in the same shield and location at the Gran Sasso Underground Laboratory. The worldwide race towards direct dark matter detection has been dramatically accelerated by the fast evolution of detectors based on noble liquids. They have shifted the scale of target mass from a few to tens of kilograms, while reducing the overall gamma/beta background to less than 0.001 events/kg/keV/day, much lower than scintillator and cryogenic bolometer detectors. Despite being only a prototype, XENON10 has shown the potential of two-phase Xe detectors for dark matter searches, bringing the XENON program to the forefront of the field. This award will provide funds to continue the XENON program for 2 more years to complete the dark matter search with the current XENON100 detector within 2009, and to realize an upgraded detector by early 2010 in the same shield and location. Additionally, XENON100 has a robust possibility to address questions related to the DAMA/LIBRA annual modulation signature, shedding new light on this controversial result. The broader impact of the XENON science program addresses questions about the fundamental properties of the Universe and has all the ingredients to captivate the interest and imagination of students and the general public alike. Technical-related work can impact society in a number of ways: liquid xenon imaging detectors and related technologies find applications in several fields outside particle astrophysics, including national security and medical imaging research.
Project Description: The XENON100 experiment is under final commissioning phase at the Gran Sassso Underground Laboratory in Italy. Design studies towards an upgraded experiment have started.
Jobs Summary: Columbia University Created/Retained a Postdoctoral Rsch Scientist, Senior Research Scientist, Graduate Research Assistant, Graduate Research Assistant, Graduate Research Assistant, and a Postdoctoral Rsch Scientist. Note: Tenured Faculty are excluded from the FTE estimates. (Total jobs reported: 2)
Project Status: Less Than 50% Completed
This award's data was last updated on Aug. 24, 2009. Help expand these official descriptions using the wiki below.
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