We report on the first measurement of (39)Ar in argon from underground natural gas reservoirs. The gas stored in the US National Helium Reserve was found to contain a low level of (39)Ar. The ratio of (39)Ar to stable argon was found to be <= 4 x 10(-1)7 (84% C.L.), less than 5% the value in atmospheric argon ((39)Ar/Ar=8x10(-16)). The total quantity of argon currently stored in the National Helium Reserve is estimated at 1000 tons. (39)Ar represents one of the most important backgrounds in argon detectors for WIMP dark matter searches. The findings reported demonstrate the possibility of constructing large multi-ton argon detectors with low radioactivity suitable for WIMP dark matter searches.
Discovery of underground argon with low level of radioactive (39)Ar and possible applications to WIMP dark matter detectors
CAVANNA, FLAVIO
2008-01-01
Abstract
We report on the first measurement of (39)Ar in argon from underground natural gas reservoirs. The gas stored in the US National Helium Reserve was found to contain a low level of (39)Ar. The ratio of (39)Ar to stable argon was found to be <= 4 x 10(-1)7 (84% C.L.), less than 5% the value in atmospheric argon ((39)Ar/Ar=8x10(-16)). The total quantity of argon currently stored in the National Helium Reserve is estimated at 1000 tons. (39)Ar represents one of the most important backgrounds in argon detectors for WIMP dark matter searches. The findings reported demonstrate the possibility of constructing large multi-ton argon detectors with low radioactivity suitable for WIMP dark matter searches.Pubblicazioni consigliate
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