MIMAC : A micro-tpc matrix for directional detection of dark matter

Directional detection of non-baryonic Dark Matter is a promising search strategy for discriminating WIMP events from background ones. This strategy requires both a measurement of the recoil energy down to a few keV and 3D reconstruction of tracks down to a few mm. The MIMAC project, based on a micro-TPC matrix, filled with CF 4 and CHF 3 is being developed. The first results of a chamber prototype of this matrix, on low energy nuclear recoils ( 1 H and 19 F) obtained with mono-energetic neutron fields are presented. The discovery potential of this search strategy is illustrated by a realistic case accessible to MIMAC.