Calibration, tracking and background reduction for the DRIFT II dark matter detectors.

摘要

The DRIFT II dark matter detectors were constructed in 2004 at Occidental College in Los Angeles and operate in the Boulby Potash Mine in Boulby, England. The work for this dissertation includes participation in construction, installation and operation of the detectors, as well as analysis of three different data types. The first data analyzed are the exposures to 55Fe 5.9 keV X-rays for the purpose of energy calibration. Secondly, data from directed neutron runs is used to determine the directional discrimination ability of the DRIFT II detectors. Finally, a background resulting from Radon decays inside the detector is examined. Techniques to reduce this background are explored.