The ZEPLIN III dark matter detector

Abstract

The ZEPLIN III dark matter detector is nearly ready for commissioning underground at the Boulby mine. This twophase xenon system exploits both scintillation and ionisation signals produced in the liquid in order to discriminate between gamma-like interactions and the nuclear recoils expected from the scattering of Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs) off Xe atoms. This sensitivity to particle species, together with the low radioactivity of its components, will enhance our sensitivity to WIMP signatures down to a WIMP-nucleon crosssection lower than 10 -7 pb in the first stage after deployment, improving significantly with planned upgrades to be introduced after the first few months of operation.