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Completed TRL 3 (started at 3, targeting 5)
The Gamma-Ray and AntiMatter Survey (GRAMS) project will use a balloon-borne liquid argon time projection chamber (LArTPC) detector for the first time to attempt gamma-ray observations in the megaelectron volt (MeV) energy range and perform indirect dark matter searches with antinuclei. Leveraging the long-duration and high-altitude environment provided by the balloon, the flight test aims to validate LArTPC capabilities for particle tracking and gamma-ray detection in flight. The technology could significantly improve sensitivity to astrophysical MeV gamma-ray measurements and aid in understanding extreme astrophysical environments with multi-messenger astrophysics. In addition to astrophysical research applications, GRAMS could explore new parameter space for self-annihilating dark matter and evaporating primordial black holes. GRAMS’ low-energy antideuteron and antihelium measurements will have the potential to support background-free dark matter searches, allowing researchers to probe dark matter parameter space extensively.
Problem Statement
The development of a large-scale, high-resolution, medium-energy gamma-ray detector faces a number of challenges. Central to these challenges is the fact that gamma rays with energies of 0.1–20 MeV tend to primarily undergo Compton scattering – the increase in wavelength of x-rays and other electromagnetic rays that have been scattered by electrons. This effect requires detectors with exceptionally high spatial and energy resolution to reconstruct Compton scatterings and subsequently identify the direction of the gamma-ray source. The GRAMS collaboration aims to break through existing technological barriers and overcome this challenge with a LArTPC detector used as a “Compton camera.” The LArTPC technology has been successfully developed for underground dark matter/neutrino experiments over the last two decades. However, it has not yet been designed and optimized to measure gamma rays in the MeV energy range. Given sufficient energy and position resolution, the LArTPC could provide an affordable, scalable, and full-sky-reach solution for a Compton telescope concept.
Technology Maturation Flight tests are expected to help researchers validate the liquid argon handling techniques and LArTPC capabilities of particle tracking and gamma-ray detection in flight. The GRAMS prototype flight tests aim to advance the technology readiness level (TRL) to TRL 5. Researchers intend to use results from the flight tests to move forward with the first GRAMS science flight with an extended observation time.
- Scalable: Offers the potential for an affordable full-sky-reach solution for a Compton telescope concept
- High-performance: Improves sensitivities to astrophysical MeV gamma-ray measurements needed to understand extreme astrophysical environments with multi-messenger astrophysics and antideuterons and antiheliums to search for dark matter indirectly.
Future Customers
• Astrophysical research in the relatively unexplored MeV gamma-ray energy range
• New dark matter parameter space exploration with antinuclei measurements
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