Speaker
Description
Detectors for direct dark matter searches based on noble liquids require highly stable cryogenic systems capable of liquefying, purifying, and continuously recirculating the target medium. The Proto-0 setup, developed within the DarkSide experiment, is a compact dual-phase liquid argon TPC aimed at studying the spatial distribution of scintillation and ionization signals with large SiPM arrays.
The detector is integrated with a dedicated cryogenic system designed to ensure efficient argon liquefaction, ultra-high purity levels, and long-term operational stability. The system consists of a double-walled cryostat housing the TPC, a high-efficiency purification stage capable of reducing impurities below the part-per-billion level, a condenser for argon liquefaction, and a custom-designed gas recirculation panel equipped with a specially developed pump.
Since October 2021, the cryogenic system has been successfully operated at the INFN Laboratory in Naples, demonstrating excellent thermal stability and robust performance during extended runs. This contribution presents the design, main features, and performance of the cryogenic system, emphasizing its long-term stability, thermodynamic control, and reliability in support of high-sensitivity liquid argon detectors for dark matter searches.
