Grant: Subatomic Physics Envelope - Project

Inconsistencies in astronomical observations of gravitational effects provide hints for large amounts of an as of yet unidentified type of non-luminous matter dominating the Universe. Recent measurements converge on a cosmological model describing a Universe in which more than 80 % of the matter is made up of this so-called dark matter. The Cryogenic Dark Matter Search (CDMS) collaboration has developed cryogenic detectors with simultaneous readout of thermal and ionization signals for a very sensitive search for interactions of dark matter particles with ordinary matter. The dual-signal readout allows for an efficient discrimination between extremely rare dark matter interactions and much more common events induced by background radiation (mostly environmental radiation from radioactive trace contaminations in the surrounding material and cosmogenic radiation).SuperCDMS improves on the CDMS technology with an increased detector mass and further advances in discrimination of radioactive background. At its present location however, cosmogenic radiation will eventually produce an irreducible background. Therefore SuperCDMS plans to move to SNOLAB, the new underground laboratory near Sudbury, ON. Being the deepest large underground laboratory, SNOLAB provides the best conditions for the next phase of SuperCDMS.This grant will provide the Canadian participants in SuperCDMS with the means of preparing the experiment for its move to Canada, while at the same time taking advantage of the ongoing data collection at its present location in Soudan, Minnesota. SuperCDMS provides excellent opportunities for the training of highly qualified personnel in a large variety of skills, such as analysis of complex data, development and operation of state-of-the-art experimental equipment, software development etc.With its powerful diagnostic tools and proven track record of background control, SuperCDMS is ideally positioned to play a key role in solving one of the Universe's biggest mysteries, the nature of the dark matter.