Using SF6 for Directional Dark Matter Detection

This research deals with the R&D of an Ion Fluorescence Chamber (IFC) for directional dark matter detection. An Ion Fluorescence Chamber is a like a typical Time-Projection Chamber (TPC) but that detects ions instead of electrons, made possible by using SF₆ as its medium. The IFC in theory uses a chemical sensing plane that switches on florescence when bonding with SF₅⁺ ions. This would then make it possible to get single-molecule resolution for the topology of the scattering events occurring inside the chamber. To prove this imaging concept works it was first necessary to create a beam of mostly SF₅⁺ ions inside of an electron impact ionizer cell. Then this beam was to be shot at a glass slide spin coated with a naphthylamide based molecule so that the SF₅⁺ ions were free to interact with this chemical sensing plane. Lastly, the capacity of the naphthylamide molecule to switch on fluorescence after bonding with an SF₅⁺ ion was tested with an optical system.