Low-noise CCDs for rare-event searches and the DAMIC Experiment

The DAMIC (Dark Matter in CCDs) Experiment employs the active silicon of low-noise charge-coupled devices (CCDs) as a target to search for a variety of dark matter candidates with masses below 10 GeV. An array of seven 675-um thick CCDs with a target mass of ~40 grams has been collecting data at SNOLAB since early 2017. The collaboration has engaged in an extensive campaign of characterization efforts to understand the response of these CCDs to low-energy nuclear recoils and their unique capabilities, including the use of high spatial resolution for both the rejection and study of backgrounds. This talk will focus on the devices utilized in DAMIC, currently collecting WIMP-search data at SNOLAB, and plans for the CCDs to be used in the next-generation DAMIC-M Experiment to be located at the Modane Underground Laboratory. Potential alternative applications of CCDs in rare-event searches will be also be discussed. Presented on behalf of the DAMIC Collaboration.