Direct Dark Matter searches with LZ detector

There is an abundance of both cosmological and astrophysical evidence, not only to support the existence of Dark Matter, but also to suggest Dark Matter makes up a great quantity of the mass of our universe. Despite this, much about Dark matter remains unknown, including what Dark matter actually consists of.

LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) is a multi-detector experiment that aims to directly detect Dark Matter. Specifically looking to observe interactions from what are considered to be one of the leading candidates for the building blocks of Dark Matter; WIMPS (Weakly Interacting Massive Particles). The highly sensitive LZ detector, (located in South Dakota), uses a Time Projection Chamber (TPC) containing liquid xenon with the aim of detecting WIMP-nucleus interactions.

While the LZ's outer detector helps to suppress the effect of background particles which could also potentially produce signals in the TPC.

The focus of this PhD project can be split into three main sections. The first of these being hardware based; specifically involving the setup of a test stand for the LZ Optical Calibration System in Liverpool, as well as optimization of FPGA firmware (particularly focusing on measurements of light intensities with photodiode boards).

As well as having a hardware-based section, this project will also have a software element to it. The aim of this section being to help improve the optimisation and support in the development of the data analysis and data quality monitoring frameworks useful to LZ.

Finally, the third aspect of this project will be focused on the physics data analysis. This includes the development of analysis procedures for optimization of neutron background identification and suppression. As well as the development of physics analysis framework, utilising simplified theories with the aim of this leading towards a more direct comparison of results from LZ to results with Dark Matter search results from collider experiments.