Junseok Huh

Review of the XENON dark matter detector

Started Mar. 23, 2023

Abstract or project description

This project aims to examine the methodology behind the XENON dark matter detector, which utilizes liquid Xenon as a medium to detect signals generated from collisions between dark matter and known particles. It discusses the production of photons and energy from the dark matter-particle collisions and the infrastructure of the XENON detector—including photomultiplier tubes and the time-projection chamber—that aids in converting these signals into plausible explanations for the presence of dark matter. Major caveats to the detection of dark matter signals range from cosmic rays to radioactive material and excess water, and this paper introduces solutions to minimize the impact of background "noise" that may hinder the identification of proper dark matter signals.