Status and sensitivity projections for the XENON100 Dark Matter Experiment

Abstract

The XENON experimental program aims to detect cold dark matter particles via their elastic collisions with xenon nuclei in two-phase time projection chambers (TPCs). We are currently testing a new TPC at the 100 kg scale, XENON100. This new, ultra-low background detector, has a total of 170 kg of xenon (65 kg in the target region and 105 kg in the active shield). It has been installed at the Gran Sasso Underground Laboratory and is currently in commissioning phase. We review the design and performance of the detector and its associated systems, present status, preliminary calibration results, background prediction and projected sensitivity. With a 6000 kg-day background-free exposure, XENON100 will reach a sensitivity to spin-indepedent WIMP-nucleon cross section of 2 × 10∼45 cm2 by the end of 2009. We also discuss our plan to upgrade the XENON100 experiment to improve the sensitivity by another order of magnitude by 2012.