### Session EK: Mini-Symposium on Probing Fundamental Symmetries with Nuclei, Neutrons, Muons, and Atoms III

9:00 AM–12:00 PM, Friday, October 16, 2009
Room: Queens 5

Chair: Stuart Freedman, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Abstract ID: BAPS.2009.HAW.EK.11

### Abstract: EK.00011 : Depleted Argon for Large Scale Dark Matter Detectors

11:45 AM–12:00 PM

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#### Authors:

Jason Spaans
(University of South Dakota)

Dongming Mei
(University of South Dakota)

Yongchen Sun
(University of South Dakota)

Christina Keller
(University of South Dakota)

Our project aims to provide argon depleted of $^{39}$Ar by utilizing established thermal diffusion methods for isotopic separation. The depleted argon can then be used as a target material for next generation large scale dark matter detectors. Thermal diffusion exploits an established temperature gradient to produce a concentration gradient along the length of a vertical column. In this concentration gradient, the heavier isotopes accumulate at the bottom end of the column and the lighter isotopes at the top. We have built a thermal diffusion system that consists of a copper column encasing a tungsten wire which is heated to 1200 K. The copper column is surrounded by a water bath which is maintained at a temperature of 300 K, thus establishing a temperature gradient between the copper column and the tungsten wire. We expect to deplete the $^{39}$Ar isotope by a factor of 10 with the current design, with the ultimate goal of a depletion factor of 100. The preliminary results of this effort will be reported utilizing the more abundant isotope $^{36}$Ar.

To cite this abstract, use the following reference: http://meetings.aps.org/link/BAPS.2009.HAW.EK.11