Directional dark matter detection using spectroscopy of quantum defects in diamond

The sensitivity of current WIMP dark matter detectors is rapidly approaching the solar neutrino fog. Because WIMPs and solar neutrinos have distinct angular distributions, distinguishing between them requires directional detection methods. We propose constructing a hybrid solid-state dark matter detector that combines conventional and directional techniques, utilizing diamond enriched with nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers. When a WIMP or neutrino interacts with the diamond, it generates a nuclear recoil which leaves a nm-scale damage track, while also triggering a real-time signal that can be detected through charge, photon, or phonon collection. This damage track alters the local crystal stress of the diamond, allowing rapid localization in an mm-scale chip using high-resolution, high-throughput 3D NV strain sensing with a light sheet quantum diamond microscope. The shape and orientation of the damage track can then be examined using nanoimaging techniques such as X-ray diffraction spectroscopy or superresolution NV spectroscopy. Finally, this information can be correlated with the real-time signal to identify its cosmic origin. In this poster, we will provide an overview of our detection scheme as well as recent experimental progress in NV strain spectroscopy, light sheet quantum diamond microscopy, X-ray diffraction spectroscopy of diamond, and detector calibration with artificial damage tracks.