About Us

The McKinsey group uses cryogenic techniques to explore low energy nuclear physics and particle astrophysics. A common theme in these experiments is the use of liquified noble gases as scintillators.

One of our main projects is Cryogenic Low Energy Astrophysics with Noble gases (CLEAN). CLEAN is an idea for a neutrino and dark matter detector that uses liquid neon and argon as targets. At the moment, our focus is searching for Weakly Interacting Massive Particles or WIMPs, a promising candidate for the missing matter in the universe. During 2008, we plan to build a 100-kg liquid argon detector called Mini-CLEAN which will be capable of setting a competitive limit on the WIMP-nucleon scattering cross section. In conjunction with the DEAP collaboration, we hope to build a tonne-scale liquid argon detector to increase the sensitivity to WIMPs by an order of magnitude or more.

The McKinsey group was formerly a contributor to XENON10, another dark matter experiment searching for WIMPs with liquid xenon as the target. The XENON10 experiment was a great success, resulting in the recent publishing of the best current limit on the WIMP-nucleon scattering cross section. We are now actively working on LUX, a second generation liquid xenon dark matter detector.

Our third area of active research represents a slightly different approach to particle detection, by observing metastable helium molecules through the use of laser induced fluorescence. There are two recent papers on this technique to be found below or via the "Publications" tab.

Please browse our website to learn more about who we are and what we do.

Post-doctoral positions available:

Applications are invited for postdoctoral positions in the McKinsey group in the Yale University Department of Physics. Research possibilities include development of noble liquids as materials for particle detection, as well as their use in the LUX and MiniCLEAN dark matter experiments. Preferred applicants will have experience in cryogenic, low-radioactivity, or nuclear instrumentation techniques. Especially experienced candidates may be considered for a research scientist position. There are opportunities for the successful candidate to participate in the simulation, design, and construction of noble liquid experiments, as well as contribute to data analysis. Applicants should send a CV, statement of research interests, and list of publications to: Daphne Klemme, Department of Physics, Yale University, PO Box 208120, New Haven, CT 06520-8120, or electronically to daphne.klemme@yale.edu. Applicants should also arrange for three letters of reference to be sent to the same address. Review of applications will begin March 1, 2009, and continue until the positions are filled. Yale is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer; women and members of under-represented minority groups are encouraged to apply.