First operation of bulk micromegas in low pressure negative ion drift gas mixtures for dark matter searches

A bulk micromegas micropattern charge readout device has, for the first time, been operated at room temperature in low pressure carbon disulphide vapour. This is a key step opening prospects for use of micromegas readout for large volume negative ion time projection chambers (TPCs) without magnets, such as proposed for directional dark matter detectors and other rare event applications. The dependence of the gain on the amplification field, pressure and drift field has been evaluated. For the available gap size of 75 Pin a maximum gain of 1300 +/- 120 was achieved in 40 torr vapour with an energy resolution of 22% for 5.9 keV Fe-55 X-rays. From a fit to the data, the Townsend coefficient gas parameters A and B have been derived. Operation has also been successfully achieved in xenon:carbon disulphide blends over a range of partial and total pressures. A gain of 890 130 at an energy resolution of 35% has been recorded for a 1: 1 blend at a total pressure of 80 torr. Possible improvements are discussed in the context of operation in directional dark matter TPCs as a replacement for multi-wire proportional counters. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.